Album Reviews

Just like every other album review of PUP’s new album, we should mention the story behind the album title. ‘The dream is over’ are the exact words vocalist Stefan Babcock got to hear from his doctor after literally shredding his vocal cords. Not sure if things got better since then or if he’s still in risk of losing his voice, but it takes Stefan and the rest of PUP less than a minute before surrendering to the kind of reckless abandon that made us fall in love with them when they released their debut back in 2014.

From there on, “The Dream Is Over” is a half-hour rollercoaster ride with drums that pummel you, riffs that are way up in the red and the kind of vocal chaos you would normally associate with a bunch of shrieking teenage girls after they spotted One Direction. Except here it sounds absolutely riveting. And a helluva lot more cynical and bitter.

“The Dream Is Over” would feel like a beating, if it weren’t for the über-catchy hooks and gang vocals that constantly loom around the corner waiting for the next unsuspecting victim. And just when you think you can’t take more (like after then one-two punch that is opener “If This Tour Doesn’t Kill You, I Will” and “DVP” or the hardcore rager that is “Old Wounds”), these guys slow down. For a second. Not so much because they want to allow you to catch your breath, but probably because they need to themselves.

I don’t know if you’ve already seen the movie Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice. I haven’t, but the trailer didn’t get me very excited about it. Batman v Superman v PUP… now, there’s a movie I’d like to see. Even though I’m already pretty sure who’d be whooping whose ass after having heard “The Dream Is Over”.