| Funeral Soundtrack No. 4 | ||||
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| Studio album by Destroy Boys | ||||
| Released | August 9, 2024 (2024-08-09) | |||
| Recorded | 2021–2023 | |||
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 30:49 | |||
| Label | Hopeless | |||
| Producer | Carlos de la Garza | |||
| Destroy Boys chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Funeral Soundtrack No. 4 | ||||
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Funeral Soundtrack No. 4 (stylized as Funeral Soundtrack #4) is the fourth studio album by American rock band, Destroy Boys. The album was released on August 9, 2024, through Hopeless Records.
Background and recording
The title Funeral Soundtrack #4 was conceived by guitarist and backing vocalist Violet Mayugba during a tour in Europe. The name was chosen to reflect the album's thematic focus on pivotal life events, including the birth and death of significant adult challenges. The album took approximately two years to complete, making it the longest production period for any Destroy Boys album to date. The band has described this record as their "post-pandemic album," reflecting the challenges and realities of life after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The album was produced by Carlos de la Garza, marking the first collaboration between Destroy Boys and de la Garza. His involvement introduced a pop sensibility to the band's music, contributing to a more mainstream sound while retaining the band's punk roots. The album also features collaborations with Kat Moss of Scowl and Missy Dabice of Mannequin Pussy on the track "You Hear Yes."
Music style and influence
Funeral Soundtrack #4 represents a significant stylistic shift for Destroy Boys. While their first two albums were characterized by a traditional punk rock sound, this album explores more diverse and complex musical landscapes. Bassist David Orozco noted that the album showcases the band's versatility and includes a wider range of sonic textures than their previous work. Thematically, the album deals with mature and introspective topics, reflecting the band members' personal growth and life experiences.
Promotion and release
The band began releasing singles from Funeral Soundtrack #4 in 2023, prior to the album's official announcement. The lead single, "Beg For the Torture", was followed by others, including "Shadow (I'm Breaking Down)" and "Should've Been Me". The music video for "Should've Been Me" was heavily influenced by psychological horror films, a genre that guitarist Violet Mayugba has a personal interest in.
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Clunk |   |
| Distorted Sound | 8/10 |
| Kerrang! | |
| Louder | |
| Narc. |  |
Funeral Soundtrack #4 received praise from contemporary music critics. Writing for Distorted Sound, Louis Suffill gave the album four stars out of five saying Destroy Boys' "latest album seems to walk the line between serious punk rock and just for fun scrappy punk tracks but also has some more heartfelt tenderness at its core. It's hard to put this band into any one box but whatever box they could end up in it has to be a good one". Felix Bartlett, writing for Clunk Magazine & Amped Magazine also praised the album saying in his four out of five review that the album "presents itself as arguably the most fun funeral ever (morbid but true). On their fourth outing Destroy Boys continue to defy expectations delivering on a serious but also playful punk rock album that packs a serious punch".
Maddy Howell, writing for Louder, conceded that Funeral Soundtrack #4 "isn't exactly a rallying cry for a better world", although Howell said that "if they can't make any promises to solve the world's problems, their snarky punk melodies certainly offer a welcome break from the chaos".
Track listing
All tracks are written by Alexia Roditis, Violet Mayugba, Narsai Malik, and Carlos de la Garza.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bad Guy" | 2:43 |
| 2. | "Plucked" | 3:12 |
| 3. | "Beg for the Torture" | 1:26 |
| 4. | "Praying" | 4:05 |
| 5. | "Amor divino" | 3:03 |
| 6. | "Shadow (I'm Breaking Down)" | 3:39 |
| 7. | "Shedding Skin" | 2:54 |
| 8. | "Should've Been Me" | 1:03 |
| 9. | "You Don't Know" | 3:30 |
| 10. | "You Hear Yes" (featuring Mannequin Pussy and Scowl) | 2:44 |
| 11. | "Boyfeel" | 2:30 |
| Total length: | 30:49 | |
Personnel
Destroy Boys
- Alexia Roditis
- Violet Mayugba
- David Orozco
- Narsai Malik
Additional contributors
- Carlos de la Garza – production, mixing, recording, additional instrumentation
- Dave Collins – mastering
- Sean Dorrian – additional engineering, mixing assistance
- Harriet Tam – additional engineering
- Mike Fasano – drum technician
References
- ^ River, Julie (August 6, 2024). "Interview: Violet Mayugba and David Orozco of Destroy Boys Talk 'Funeral Soundtrack #4'". newnoisemagazine.com. New Noise Magazine. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Gray, Dan (July 16, 2024). "Interview With Violet Mayugba and Alexia Roditis From Destroy Boys". amnplify.com. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Clement, Keith (August 11, 2024). "Interview With Sacramento, CA Punk Rockers "Destroy Boys"". mhf-mag.com. Metal Heads Forever. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Bartlett, Felix (August 7, 2024). "Album Review: Destroy Boys – Funeral Soundtrack #4". clunkmag.com. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Suffill, Louis (August 5, 2024). "ALBUM REVIEW: Funeral Soundtrack #4 – Destroy Boys". distortedsoundmag.com. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- Wilkes, Emma (August 8, 2024). "Album review: Destroy Boys – funeral soundtrack #4". kerrang.com. Kerrang!. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- ^ Howell, Maddy (August 8, 2024). "With Funeral Soundtrack #4, Californian punks Destroy Boys flip a defiant middle finger to an industry that has repeatedly tried to take advantage of their naivety". loudersound.com. Future Publishing Limited Quay House. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
- Poppleton, Niamh (August 7, 2024). "Album Review: Destroy Boys – Funeral Soundtrack #4". narcmagazine.com. Retrieved August 11, 2024.