Released: March 1, 2024

Genre: Punk / Alternative

From: US

Label: Epitaph Records

Why you should listen: I have been a fan of Philadelphia-based punk band Mannequin Pussy since their exceptional 2019 album Patience. Consisting of Colins Rey Regisford on bass, samples, vocals, Kaleen Reading on drums and percussion, Marisa Dabice on guitar, vocals and keyboards and Maxine Steen guitar, the group has made some incredibly emotive, moving and heavy compositions, with introspective lyrics that speak on political and gender issues with frantic energy and rage. I Got Heaven is their first album since Patience, and it may be their most defined, complete body of work to date. The riveting and frantic energy on the opener “I Got Heaven” is incredibly moving, as the distortion of the guitars and the harsh, emotive vocals make it a striking, riveting way to kick the album off. The melodic “Loud Bark” builds throughout, the energy is absolutely infectious, with the grungy guitar leads and lyrics on womanhood and love. “Nothing Like” is another beautiful track, with distorted guitar leads and melodies that capture the intensity of their sound perfectly, and with vulnerable lyrics that contrast yet complement the sound so perfectly. “I Don’t Know You” is a quieter, more subdued track about knowing someone without knowing their true essence. The angelic vocals on “Sometimes” beautifully complement the harsh guitar riffs throughout, as the track builds in energy throughout. The unfiltered noise and rage on “Ok? Ok! Ok? Ok!” is loud and incredibly powerful, while “Softly” is a reflective and powerful track about unrequited love. “Of Her” is a heavy, intense moment about taking back control of body, love and relationships, while “Aching” has a similar, almost metal energy with its striking distorted guitar leads and striking vocals. “Split Me Open” closes the album out with a relatively smooth and melodic track, especially in contrast to the last two, with gorgeous guitar leads that build throughout, as well as reflective and introspective lyrics that make it a fitting way to close the album out. With I Got Heaven, Mannequin Pussy have created an immersive, punchy and memorable new punk album that is already a contender for one of the albums of the year. It’s a stunning body of work that really captures the intensity and emotion of their music so perfectly, with compositions that are more striking and defined than ever before.

The album: