Review
Viagra Boys have always had a knack for dissecting modern absurdities through a lens of ironic detachment, and their latest album viagr aboys is no exception. Shedding some of the overt political angst that defined their previous release Cave World, the Swedish post-punk outfit leans further into absurdist satire, delivering a collection of tracks that are as unsettling as they are oddly cathartic.
Frontman Sebastian Murphy's wry observations about capitalist malaise and modern maladies are delivered with a deadpan sprechgesang over jagged basslines and wiry punk-funk rhythms. Tracks like "Man Made of Meat" exemplify their signature sound, pairing Murphy's biting wit with garage-rock grit and surprisingly danceable grooves. Production by longtime collaborator Pelle Gunnerfeldt ensures that the album's raw energy is balanced with a polished sheen, though at times the band's deliberate embrace of "simple and stupid" stylings can sacrifice deeper thematic cohesion. Still, viagr aboys is a compelling snapshot of a band at the height of their powers, twisting the absurdities of our modern world into something both unsettling and oddly invigorating. - Ellis
