by Kris Handel (@khandel84)
Optimizer is the fourth full length from Chicago noise makers Stuck. On this record we get an even more evolved version of their tense, motorik punk and explosive post-hardcore oeuvre. Greg Obis’ vocals have a bit of a softer, more melodious timbre to them at times while his spoken and barked vocals remain for the tenser and knotty moments Stuck excel at. Obis’ songwriting has grown as he acerbically tackles the current political and social wasteland as well as biting takes on various aspects of the music industry. Keyboards and synths play a stronger role on this record and they oftentimes add another layer of buzzing discordance to the mix, allowing the band to stretch their sound a little further into darker post-punk or nervier ends of early new wave.
“Sicko” nervously juts around spurts of feedback as the song decries boredom and breaking free from living in a negative internal world between stop/start fluctuations and disorienting vocals. Obis’ guitar grinds and drives forward as squiggling keyboards shoot out shards of noise and his sharp guitar lines pierce the atmosphere. “Deadlift” is a veiled takedown of gym culture and toxic masculinity inherent within, as Obis calls out body-image and the isolation of focusing on “gains.” Guitars chime, drums circle, and Obis’ vocals alternate between a slight sweetness and frantic sprechgesang as the song builds power.
“Instakill” spreads the gospel of breaking free from social media apps for personal sanity and overall well-being over a jerky keyboards and pounding drums that breakdown into an almost Devo-esque squall. David Algrim’s bass and keyboards bubble and burst around spiky guitar and Obis’ vocals strain and churn before giving way to wails of scrambled electronics. “Fire, Man” is Stuck at their most incisive, as they power their way through an indictment of current poisonous policies and the embracing of such by a large number of those in civil society. As the tension impressively builds, the chorus is aided by the backing vocals of Krystyn Chapman (Morpho), who connects nicely with Obis’ rage, as Stuck twist the knife on the “Born in the USA” mentality with winking style.
Stuck continue to build a catalog by adding new stylistic layers, showing an impressive amount of growth and power as the band continues to challenge themselves with each release. Optimizer is a record that roars with immense power, and is a leap forward for a figurehead of the indie-noise scene. As Stuck continues to push forward with their lively takes on mid-90s Dischord/Touch and Go post-punk, they also add flashes of the energy and intent of bands like Pile, Ovlov, and Stove into their musical stew. Optimizer speaks loudly to the growing force that Stuck prove themselves to be.