It's hard to believe it has been almost seven years since I reviewed the first of Hakan's three self-titled albums. When I wrote about Hakan III in 2018, I expressed hope that a Hakan IV would be forthcoming. Well the Italian trio has switched things up and actually given its fourth album a proper title! Hakan Manifesto, out on Striped Music and One Chord Wonder Records, will disappoint no one who loved the band's first three albums. As always, the group dishes out mega-poppy punk rock with a contemporary garage edge. This has become a signature sound for Hakan, who pull it off so well that it never grows tiresome. Songs like "Just One Kiss", "Ruined Day", "I'm Burnt", and the earworm title track are vintage Hakan numbers that storm your senses with melody and infectious energy. In its usual style, the band approaches its songwriting with a great mix of humor and inspired stupidity. In a wonderful interview with Hayley Cain for New Noise Magazine, the band reveals that songs on Hakan Manifesto concern topics such as "bees, riding bikes, smashing things, and a girl who can turn her head 360 degrees". What's not to love? And while this is a "classic" Hakan album in every sense, you can also hear the band embracing more of a pure pop side on songs like "Stezzanism", "Number One", and "Here With You". These guys are writing the manual on how to make similar albums over and over without making the same album over and over. In a recent email, the band told me, "Even in these crazy times, here's a new Hakan record." I will rephrase that and say that in these crazy times, we really needed a new Hakan record! If you want to get out of a bummer headspace for the next 22 minutes and just enjoy some catchy and fun pop/punk songs, Hakan Manifesto is just what the doctor ordered. Now how do I get my hands on some Von Wu?
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