ALBUM REVIEW: Enemy Of The World (Re-Recorded) – Four Year Strong

At this point in their career, FOUR YEAR STRONG have earned the right to do whatever they want, and if that’s re-record their 2010 release, Enemy Of The World, then obviously we’re here for it. The four-piece from Massachusetts have made a name for themselves in pop-punk, and the majority of their success can be attributed to this second album of theirs. The main reasoning for this re-record is so they are able to repress the vinyl, something they weren’t allowed to do due to label technicalities, but vocalist Alan Day mentions in a press release, “It was really interesting to revisit all of the songs down to every detail, getting to kind of relive it in a way.” He also says that they had Will Putney mix and master this album, who engineered on the original release, as he “knows FOUR YEAR STRONG old and new more than anyone.” While revisiting classics is always a risk, it is likely fans will be delighted to hear the band’s new take on an older record.

On first impression, it’s a relief to hear the album hasn’t changed too much. Opening with It Must Really Suck To Be Four Year Strong Right Now, this track has all of its original appeal in the form of heavy relentless drums and clear, powerful vocals. It’s not a carbon copy though, and the mixing feels more organised, giving a spotlight to the guitar riffs which weren’t really a main focus before. Generally, it has all the best parts of the original with a lot more balance.

Next is Tonight We Feel Alive (On A Saturday), which opens with its iconic guitars as usual. This track is a good example of how both O’Connor and Day’s vocals have naturally progressed, and it feels more mature. The unclean vocals have just as much of an impact as in the original, but they definitely sound clearer and less gritty, which isn’t always a negative. Wasting Time (Eternal Summer) was one of the most popular songs on Enemy Of The World, and it’s possible it has even more of an impact on the re-recorded version. Both its drums and guitars feel heavier, and the vocals are more intense. While it feels more careful and deliberate in terms of mixing, it still keeps its original charm in the form of the background cheering and clapping at the end.

Something that is different about the album this time around is that songs that were originally B-sides are given an official place, and Cavalier in particular has been released as a single. It’s a more emotional track with an intense chorus, and its moment is well deserved, even if it does sound pretty similar to the rest of the album. Bad News Bears is another B-side with more of a focus, and it is way more on the pop-punk side, but it fits well on the album as a more upbeat track.

It’s easy to see why FOUR YEAR STRONG feel like Enemy Of The World deserves more recognition, and while re-recording an already iconic album could feel like an unnecessary endeavour, in this case it really pays off. This album is a perfect representation of how far the band have progressed while still respecting where they came from, and the improved mixing and technicalities help showcase some underrated elements.

Rating: 9/10

Enemy Of The World (Re-Recorded) is set for release on October 27th via Pure Noise Records.

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