As the kaleidoscope of global crises continues to expand—be it the perpetual charade of political absurdity or the relentless gnawing of ecological decline—Jeff Rosenstock releases his latest offering, ‘HELLMODE,’ serving as both a reflection of and a diversion from these harrowing times. Against the cacophonous backdrop of the modern era, Rosenstock’s album ushers listeners into a respite filled with scathing reflections, cautious optimism, and a touch of existential curiosity.
Rosenstock’s ongoing odyssey in the music sphere is a manifestation of dualities. This album captures the dichotomy between what he dubs ‘HELLMODE‘ and ‘HEALMODE,’ which speaks volumes to his artistic evolution since he started releasing solo music in 2012. His efforts to translate dark subject matter into ska-inflected, horn-laden tracks previously have been commendable, but this new release lets the existential heaviness linger, allowing it to permeate the album’s melodies without quick resolution.
Throughout the album, you’ll find songs that vacillate between confronting existential dread and flirting with upbeat defiance, making for a nuanced emotional landscape. On one hand, there’s a prevailing sense of existential anguish, captured in lyrics like “The longer I go, the more that I know / That I’m different than before / And you can’t help me anymore.” Yet, that existential questioning finds its counterbalance in tracks that exude spirited calls to action: “You gotta chill out with the doubt!”
Tracks like “I WANNA BE WRONG” delve into Rosenstock’s eclectic influences, from the frenetic “Oi! Oi!” ska-punk shout-outs to indie arpeggios that evoke the early sounds of The Sundays, while the track “SOFT LIVING” creates a sonic temple of fuzz-infused love songs. The record culminates with the seven-minute magnum opus “3 SUMMERS,” an incandescent coda to the album that draws upon the euphoria of collective experiences. These musical turns and twists solidify ‘HELLMODE‘ as Rosenstock’s most genre-defying project yet.
A pertinent point to consider is how Rosenstock’s work resonates with the shared disillusionment and overwhelming sensory input of contemporary life. Albums from other punk acts, such as PUP and Spanish Love Songs, have also addressed the emotional tumult of our times. Rosenstock’s ‘HELLMODE‘ doesn’t shy away from participating in this cultural conversation, making a profound statement on the “chaos of being alive right now.”
After almost two decades of artistic pursuits, Rosenstock remains a remarkable conundrum—a talent deeply embedded in the fabric of the industry, yet fiercely independent. It is a complex balance to maintain, and he does so with an earnest sincerity, presenting a juxtaposition akin to a gloomy, yet delightfully lit country fair.
It’s tempting to tie things up neatly and make a final sweeping judgment, but perhaps the most pertinent aspect of ‘HELLMODE‘ is its refusal to offer clear answers. The album encapsulates the relentless uncertainty of life, yet it feels like a hearty nod to human resilience. Whether you’re new to Rosenstock’s catalog or an old fan, ‘HELLMODE‘ serves as a memorable pit stop on the lifelong journey of navigating the disorienting yet captivating labyrinth of existence. It gives you the tools—not to escape the maze, but to map it in your own ink, teaching us all how to find small triumphs in shared struggles.
Catch Jeff live at one of the gigs listed below:
SEP 6, 2023: 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C. (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 7, 2023: Terminal 5, New York, NY (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 8, 2023: Roadrunner, Boston, MA (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 9, 2023: College Street Music Hall, New Haven, CT (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 10, 2023: The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 12, 2023: The Broadberry, Richmond, VA (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 13, 2023: Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 15, 2023: Heaven at The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 16, 2023: Eastside Bowl, Nashville, TN (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 17, 2023: Delmar Hall, Saint Louis, MO (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 19, 2023: The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 20, 2023: Royal Oak Music Theatre, Detroit, MI (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 22, 2023: The Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 23, 2023: Rainbow Bistro, Ottawa, ON (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 24, 2023: Corona Theatre, Montréal, QC (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
NOV 25, 2023: The Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ (with Gel and Small Crush)
NOV 27, 2023: Meow Wolf, Santa Fe, NM (with Small Crush and Gel)
NOV 28, 2023: The Lowbrow Palace, El Paso, TX (with Gel and Small Crush)
NOV 30, 2023: Paper Tiger, San Antonio, TX (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 1, 2023: Empire Control Room & Garage, Austin, TX (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 2, 2023: Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ, Dallas, TX (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 3, 2023: The Vanguard, Tulsa, OK (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 5, 2023: Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 7, 2023: Soundwell, Salt Lake City, UT (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 8, 2023: Treefort Music Hall, Boise, ID (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 10, 2023: Revolution Hall, Portland, OR (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 11, 2023: The Showbox, Seattle, WA (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 14, 2023: The Holland Project, Reno, NV (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 15, 2023: The Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 16, 2023: The Novo, Los Angeles, CA (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 17, 2023: The Observatory North Park, San Diego, CA (with Small Crush and Gel)
SEP 6, 2023: 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C. (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 7, 2023: Terminal 5, New York, NY (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 8, 2023: Roadrunner, Boston, MA (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 9, 2023: College Street Music Hall, New Haven, CT (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 10, 2023: The Fillmore Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 12, 2023: The Broadberry, Richmond, VA (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 13, 2023: Cat’s Cradle, Carrboro, NC (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 15, 2023: Heaven at The Masquerade, Atlanta, GA (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 16, 2023: Eastside Bowl, Nashville, TN (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 17, 2023: Delmar Hall, Saint Louis, MO (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 19, 2023: The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 20, 2023: Royal Oak Music Theatre, Detroit, MI (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 22, 2023: The Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 23, 2023: Rainbow Bistro, Ottawa, ON (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
SEP 24, 2023: Corona Theatre, Montréal, QC (with Sidney Gish and Gladie)
NOV 25, 2023: The Van Buren, Phoenix, AZ (with Gel and Small Crush)
NOV 27, 2023: Meow Wolf, Santa Fe, NM (with Small Crush and Gel)
NOV 28, 2023: The Lowbrow Palace, El Paso, TX (with Gel and Small Crush)
NOV 30, 2023: Paper Tiger, San Antonio, TX (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 1, 2023: Empire Control Room & Garage, Austin, TX (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 2, 2023: Ferris Wheelers Backyard and BBQ, Dallas, TX (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 3, 2023: The Vanguard, Tulsa, OK (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 5, 2023: Summit Music Hall, Denver, CO (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 7, 2023: Soundwell, Salt Lake City, UT (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 8, 2023: Treefort Music Hall, Boise, ID (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 10, 2023: Revolution Hall, Portland, OR (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 11, 2023: The Showbox, Seattle, WA (with Small Crush and Gel)
DEC 14, 2023: The Holland Project, Reno, NV (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 15, 2023: The Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, CA (with SmallCrush and Gel)
DEC 16, 2023: The Novo, Los Angeles, CA (with Gel and Small Crush)
DEC 17, 2023: The Observatory North Park, San Diego, CA (with Small Crush and Gel)
