REVIEW: Four Year Strong Deliver Their Most Ambitious Record Yet With ‘analysis paralysis’

The Massachusetts bearded pop-punk juggernauts Four Year Strong have returned with their sixth full-length record, with ‘analysis paralysis’. This marks their first full release since 2020’s ‘Brain Pain’, and the deluxe of that in 2021. This album dives into the band taking more swings and trying out new things to incorporate into their consistent and effective formula. The heavy on here feels like their most heavy, as well as their most melodic at the same time and it’s impressive. It’s good timing as this comes at the end of summer, and provides a fun time all around.

The record opens with the fourth single from the record, with “aftermath/afterthought”. It gives off a real Nine Inch Nails vibe during the verses, before kicking in the door with the full band coming in hot. I appreciate the first song on this record experimenting right off the bat, it sets the tone really nicely for what’s to come. I can see this being a real great song to open their sets going forward, especially with that breakdown going into that outro. The bass stands out in a pretty solid way, delivered by bassist Joe Weiss. We’re followed up with the fifth single from the record, with “bad habit”. The guitar work on this one feels especially chunky and shoutout to the production really giving off that vibe incredibly well. It’s a catchy, and simple one overall and it gives off a similar vibe to the second track on their previous record with “Get Out of My Head”. The chorus feels very straightforward and simple, yet non-traditional which goes to show the band is willing to spread their wings where they can. The breakdown at the end once again goes hard and they really haven’t lost their touch when it comes to bringing the heavy when absolutely necessary. The next track is one of the more softer spots on the record, with “maybe it’s me”. It gives off a real 90’s alternative to it, which shows off some of their influences quite well since it gives off a nostalgic touch. The chorus feels more on the laid back side, giving off a fun little guitar lick during. I also appreciate the percussion sounds added for the verses specifically, it’s a worthy addition that helps the song stick out. We’re then followed up with the third single from the record, with “uncooked”. The riffs in this song feel very Turnstile coded and you can tell they were an influence on the heavy aspects of the album. The song starting off with the line “I wanna see you dance” is a fun choice I appreciate. The back and forth between vocalists Dan O’ Connor and Alan Day really shine and plays to what makes them a great vocal duo. It provides an absolutely awesome chorus, as well as a gritty and heater of a breakdown. It marks for one of the best songs on the record, and it’s very worthy as a single.

We’re on a wild stretch of this album after the last track, into another non-single with “out of touch”. This gives off more alternative vibes, in the style of someone like Everclear. The chorus is delivered wonderfully with great melodies, and marks as one of the best on the album. The slight orchestral parts feel unexpected, but very welcome as an addition to this track. It gives off a real anthemic vibe and it’s great after following the previous track. The drums during the chorus and bridge, delivered by drummer Jake Massucco, are well played also. We amp up the energy to 11 with the second single from the record, with “daddy of mine”. It immediately gives off Every Time I Die kind of vibes, something we had missed sorely from the scene. The riffs are huge and I’m sure it makes for this track being absolute fucking madness in a live setting. Hearing this as a single made me more excited for the record, as it provided something out there and different for the band as they go full heavy on this one. The bridge slowing down with these nutty riffs, before building back up to the ending breakdown is one of the best moments this band has provided on a song. We follow that up with the first single from the record, with “dead end friend”. It gives off very classic Four Year Strong vibes that feel at home with the usual kind of music they play. It provides a massive chorus that proves to be one of the best as a band, leading off the song with it into the chunky riffs is a nice touch. It makes sense as to why this was the lead single from the record, it’s a great sing-along and a mix of both melodic and heavy. It gives the most ‘Brain Pain’ vibes out of any other song on here, in the best way. The Turnstile vibes return once again with another banger of a track with “Paranoia”. The chorus is a lot of fun, and I appreciate them going out of their way to explore their formula and expand upon it with delivering heavy and melodic in different ways. The riffs are expertly placed here, as well as a guitar solo from out of nowhere and it’s crazy. It makes for an easy highlight off this entire album, which I’m here for. 

We start off the home stretch of this record, starting off with “STFIL”. This track starts off on an almost deceptive note, with more pop-rock leaning vibes before going back into the typical massive riffage. It’s another track that provides a pretty simple, yet effective chorus. It goes to show that less can be more when it comes to a song like this one. The breakdown is quite solid as well, and it makes for this track being quite the trip overall. We move on to another unique kind of track for this band, with “rollercoaster”. It leans on the darker side instrumentally, mixed with their signature sound which is impressive. I appreciate just how much this album provides in variety like the songs feel easily distinguishable from one another. It also goes to show how expertly this band is in writing guitar parts and riffs especially. The “love rollercoaster” sample before maybe the craziest breakdown on this record caught me completely off guard. I appreciate how lowkey the chorus felt throughout this track, so we could get that insane energy to end the song. We’re onto the penultimate track, and possibly my favorite off the album with “better get better”. It gives off huge ‘Enemy of the World’ vibes and it plays to the kind of sound that made me fall in love with this band years ago. It’s this band at their best and providing huge melodies and a catchy and fun summer kind of track. Shoutout to the lyric during the chorus, “everything is changing, everything is getting worse”. It shows off the fear that sets in when change happens and the anxiety that comes with it. This song I think personally should’ve been a single, and I hope it’s one their fans connect with as well as I do. The album ends on a more emotional note, with “how do i let you go?”. I appreciate this one starting off incredibly intimate, and builds up in an incredible way throughout. The lyrics on this one resonate the most and are delivered perfectly by Alan and Dan.  Shoutout to what I can only assume is violin in the bridge, it’s a nice element to include here. The last chorus hits like a truck vocally and this is honestly the best way to end this record. 

After 12 wild tracks, ‘analysis paralysis’ provides for a wonderful experience of pop punk, alternative, and hardcore mixed into one as is this band’s forte. This record plays to Four Year Strong‘s strengths, as well as exploring into new territory when it comes to their sound. It feels like a great encapsulation of what this band has always been about and fans are sure to be pleased with it.