Citizen have never feared pushing the envelope of what their signature sound is. Halcyon Blues, the band’s 7th studio album, put them back at their roots. The post-hardcore group from Toledo, OH are often compared to Title Fight, Movements, The Story So Far, etc. If you are a fan of any of those bands at any point and time, you’re in for a treat with this album.
The album kicks off in the most pop punk way ever, with some super fast drums. “Good Fortune” is a total stereotypical pop punk song with the drums stealing the spotlight. The song contradicts itself; sonically it’s on the faster/heavier side, with these lyrics that make you sink into your feelings.
“I Can See You From Here” accomplishes what the band is most well known for: delivering some gut-wrenching lyrics while making you feel the heavy weight of nostalgia. “When you think of me, do you feel happy?” is a painfully introspective question paired with emotional vocals from lead vocalist Mat Kerekes. Similar to “Either Way" and “Always the Last One to Leave,” the spotlight is on vocals. The track leaves you reminiscing on the good times of an inevitably doomed relationship. Lyrics like “I’ve got love for you, but I don’t love you" put the final nail in the coffin of this album’s wistful atmosphere.
"Halcyon Blues" proves itself as to why it is the title track of the album. The album itself has fleeting moments of hope wrapped by suffocatingly heavy feelings. The guitar riff of this song feels like a nod to their roots, as it gives off a very stereotypical pop punk sound. "Is It In My Brain?" reminds me so much of the band Title Fight (please come back, Title Fight; I miss them so bad.) The instrumental makes you feel like you're in an exciting montage in a coming-of-age A24 movie. It’s a very introspective song about feeling stuck in your own head and wanting to move on but feeling like you can’t.
The middle of the album is where we find ourselves switching gears. This is where the angst kicks the door down and marches right in. With songs like “Smooth Talker,” “Highs and Lows,” and “Matador,” they have those moody lyrics that make you want to cuss out anyone who’s done you wrong.
Towards the end of the album, we slow down with “Anne,” leaving us with a haunting sentiment along with the notion of regret. The track itself does a great job of concluding the album. It brings us full circle while recalling the overall energy of the album.
Personally, this is an album that I think was released at a perfect time, right before fall. While listening to the album, I felt transported to an autumn atmosphere with a spin of longing and yearning. Citizen really returned to their roots, and I believe anyone who is a fan of their album Youth will be pleasantly surprised by this album. For fans of more recent albums, I still believe it’ll be an enjoyable listening experience and is absolutely worth the listen. Citizen’s upcoming U.S. tour is coming to a city near you, playing alongside Anxious, Hotline TNT, and Rocket. The tour kicks off in the middle of August in Chicago, IL, and ends at the beginning of October in Detroit, MI.
