ALBUM REVIEW: 20/20 Vision – Anti-Flag

It can’t have escaped anyone’s attention, but we’re living in very precarious times. From the scenes of devastation in Australia to the rising tensions between America and the Middle East and the trepidation around exactly what the UK will face once Brexit finally happens at the end of the month, things can seem very bleak and horribly depressing. Music has always been such a great method of escapism in these situations and, if a band can capture the anger and frustration of the world around us, it’s even more potent, which is why punk rock is still just as vital as it was 40-50 years ago and why the release of 20/20 Vision by stalwarts ANTI-FLAG tomorrow via Spinefarm Records couldn’t have come at a better time.

As one might expect, 20/20 Vision doesn’t outstay its welcome – eleven songs, just over half an hour in length and the longest track clocking in a shade over three minutes in length, but then ANTI-FLAG haven’t made a name for themselves by writing long epics that wang on about wizards and dragons before drifting into complex guitar solos.

The tone of the album is set from the very beginning of the abrasive and raucous Hate Conquers All with a soundbite of President Donald Trump before exploding into a call to arms against the current establishment, and it isn’t the only song which does this. Christian Nationalist takes aim at the far-right movement; ‘history is rife with the likes of you‘ yells Justin Sane as he continues to tear into everything that is wrong with both his home nation and the globe in general. Even when they change pace on the acoustic-led Un-American, the message doesn’t alter; change is needed, and if it doesn’t happen soon, we’re all in trouble.

However, this isn’t just an all out attack; in between the rallying cries are songs of hope and positivity, confirming that, if everyone bands together, we might just have a chance of saving things. ‘No one is free until the war is won‘ might seem like a bizarre lyric to relay this in the title track, but the song talks about a dream to unite everyone in a world without prejudice and that, until this occurs, we are all restrained in one form or other.

Similarly, Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down is as self explanatory in content as the title suggests, but for a disillusioned generation that might be just getting into punk music, it’s one that will be felt with a lot of heart. It’s followed by Unbreakable which follows much of the same ideals, and it helps balance out 20/20 Vision well. There’s also closing track Resistance Frequencies, which is laden with horns and ska motifs that stop things ending on a down note; you can’t be sad listening to ska punk in any shape or form, and ANTI-FLAG have pulled off a genius move with this as the last track and ensuring there’s a smile on the face of every listener as the record closes.

It’s clear that, in 2020, ANTI-FLAG are still the band that GREEN DAY wishes they were. Now twelve albums into their career, they’re still just as angry at the government, frustrated at the big-wigs and disgusted by the powers-that-be as they were all the way back in 1996 on debut record Die for the Government. Punk music is more vital than it has been in a long time, and 20/20 Vision is essential listening; a shining light in a world of darkness and gloom.

Rating: 8/10

20/20 Vision is set for release on January 17th via Spinefarm Records.

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