Weakened Friends
At a time when numbness prevails and singers whisper apathy rather than scream their feelings, Weakened Friends‘ “Feels Like Hell” offers a compelling antidote. Sonia sings about everything threatening to kill the spirit—deep nihilism in the face of global capitalism—with the kind of spirit that can’t be killed. Sonia’s vocals imagine better worlds, ones free of restraint or surveillance. There’s no self-censorship here—Sonia isn’t afraid to scream until their throat is raw, and Annie isn’t afraid to groove through the apocalypse. Leaning into rock and post-pop-punk with heart and reverence, they perform with a freedom many feel bereft of today. Most songs on Feels Like Hell came quickly, still fresh and on the tip of their tongues. This was a complete reversal from Quitter, their previous album, which ironically caused a burnout that mirrored its themes. With Feels Like Hell, the band intentionally did the opposite of everything they did before. Where they once agonized over every detail, here they embraced impulse. Where they previously took their time, here they kept things sharp and brief. The result is a pure channeling of energy that strikes straight to the solar plexus.
ALWAYS ALL AGES