Veteran Cali-rockers Lagwagon are back with their 8th studio album ‘Hang.’ Maintaining a vigilant touring schedule through the years in between, its their first full length since 2005’s ‘Resolve’ and with enigmatic frontman Joey Cape stating that “this is the record my band wanted and needed to make,” it certainly arrives with many high expectations.

Opener ‘Burden of Proof’ comes in at less than a minute long. An acoustic precursor that offers a false assurance as the album quickly bombs into tracks like ‘Reign’ and ‘The Cog In The Machine.’ With very little let up, its a sound that sharply harkens back to the band’s distinct punk rock sound – arming themselves with a slew of furious beats beneath a wealth of catchy vocal lines.

‘Obsolete Absolute’ sees an atypically indulgent side of Lagwagon with a 2 minute introduction that teams speech samples and guitar playoffs to its advantage. The album passingly relents on ‘One More Song’ – a seemingly tender piano driven ballad that quickly ramps up into Americana tinged punk after a mere 30 seconds. It’s tracks like this that prove how continually surprising this band are.

Pulling the best song on the record out of the bag at unexpectedly late notice, ‘You Know Me’ leans much further towards modern hardcore in its beatdowns and anthemic choruses. Its an offering of true brilliance before ‘Hang’ finally concludes with the typically energetic ‘In Your Wake’ as Cape nods to the themes of the album with “hanging from the gallows in your mind.”

Nine years is one hell of a wait but here Lagwagon have released a beast that has ably justified the hype. There’s something on offer for everyone on this very genuine, accomplished record. Viva La Cape and Co.

4/5

‘Hang’ by Lagwagon is out now on Fat Wreck Chords.

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Words by Joe Danher.