There's a moment in the fine "When Your Heart is Broken" where Bob Mould seems to be pulling in the styles of his entire career into one song. There's the roar of Hüsker Dü, the sharp pop turns of Sugar, and the crunch of his recent solo efforts. The composition, a clear highlight from his new record, Here We Go Crazy, is a blast, and most of his new stuff is just as good.
While the title cut is timely and appreciated, the punky "Fur Mink Augurs" and the blunt "Neanderthal" are likely going to be the numbers on this 2025 effort which hit the sweet spot for long-time Bob-ists. On the very Sugar-y "Hard to Get" Mould offers up a nice lyrical bit:
"Running out of inspiration
Worn out karma
Sometimes we play so hard to get
Being careful gets me maximum regret"
The sentiments are not too dissimilar from moments on the last two Dü long-players, but now, after so many years, this sort of naked emotional frankness is very much appreciated when placed in a punk setting. Elsewhere, the more modest "Lost or Stolen" reveals vulnerability amid plaintive strums.
Those portions of Here We Go Crazy are not as downtempo as "Too Far Down" from Candy Apple Grey (1986), but there's a faint hint of same. Bob Mould works best for me when he channels those sorts of feelings into something that cranks up and races for the stars. "Sharp Little Pieces" does that pretty well, the angst poured out here in brittle chords and furious drums from ex-Superchunk drummer Jon Wurster. Wurster's kit and Jason Narducy's bass give "You Need to Shine" real heft behind Bob's yearning vocals. That one, another fave here, reminds again at how adept Bob is in this trio setting when doing this style he practically invented.
Here We Go Crazy by Bob Mould is out now.
Details on Bob Mould and his 2025 tour via BobMould.com.
[Photo: Bob Mould press team]