It has been more than three years since Berlin's The Roxies last released an album. Don't Wanna Dance Because I'm Told To, their debut full-length, came out in January of 2022. It remains one of the most underrated and best albums of this decade's punk rock/power pop scene. Matthew, Bruno, Imke, and Tim have almost certainly topped themselves with the follow-up, Keep You Up At Night, out now on Flight 13 Records in Germany and Dirt Cult Records in the U.S. What I like about this album is that it's a logical progression from its predecessor. Again, the influence of late '70s/early '80s punk rock and power pop is palpable, but the band's sound is more modern and unique this time through. While still keeping to the efficiency and leanness of classic punk rock (only one song exceeds three-and-a-half minutes), the band embraces less hurried tempos and a greater sophistication in its songwriting. This is exactly what you'd hope for from a band that is now three years more seasoned and whose members have three more years of personal growth to draw from. The Roxies have an even deeper understanding of who they are, and the things that made them great in the first place have only been magnified.
Keep You Up At Night confronts the demons and crises that could cause any person to lose sleep these days. But it does so with a tremendous sense of purpose and hopefulness. And as serious as these songs are, listening to them is a joyful experience. The love that was put into this music is palpable. High energy, powerhouse tracks like "Animals," "Alright," "Feeling," and "Dissatisfaction" will please anyone who loved the last album. Yet more measured, moody numbers such as "Nothing Left" and "Estranged" are every bit as good. Elsewhere, the band shows pure pop sensibilities on "Sometimes" and walks the punk/new wave line on the outstanding opener "Lost Control." Musically, this is one of the best bands in modern punk music. Incredible rhythm work propels these songs along and dances intricately with inventive, melodic guitar lines. And out front, Matthew sings his heart out. This is the first band I've heard in years that has kind of reminded me of The Adverts. I can't say enough good things about this band and this album. If you're looking for a classic punk–inspired record that feels genuinely original and current in 2025, you won't do much better than Keep You Up At Night. This one is going to be in the album of the year conversation for sure.
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