7/10

Ever since they first broke through with their brilliant debut LP 'Endless Scroll' in 2018, New York post-punks BODEGA have been cemented as one of the more forward-thinking names to arrive from that Upper East Coast scene. Following in the footsteps of contemporary luminaries such as Paraquet Courts and Interpol, their sound and direction has been a progressive one that always seeks newer and more interesting ideas in which to explore. And now they return with their latest LP 'Our Brand Could Be Yr Life', a record that looks to continue their explorative nature throughout.

What really stands out with this new release is how politically motivated they have looked to become. While lyrics of counter culture lifestyle and statements against the state of the world have always been a part of their aesthetic, 'Our Brand Could Be Yr Life' feels far more determined to get its message heard. With a computerised voice spelling out anti-establishment slogans between the tracks, the general tone of this new collection sits far more at the forefront when compared to anything they have done before.

While some of the tracks may not have that same infectious bite they have been known to create, 'Our Brand Could Be Yr Life' still has plenty off lively flavour coursing through it. A step forward for their presence on the scene, but not the blistering return we were hoping for.