Famous's 'Party Album' - The Debut Album of the Year?
On October 11th, 2024, London-based band Famous released their debut album, 'Party Album', and... it is a journey to say the least. Before listening to this album, I was completely unfamiliar with Famous. Famous? I hardly know 'em. Now, you can consider me a fan.
'Party Album' comes in at around thirty minutes over nine tracks, so it's about your average album length. Thirty minutes isn't long, it's not short either, but it takes me longer to wipe my arse (joking). Yet, in the time I'd usually waste doing that, I was able to listen to this masterpiece and follow the story of vocalist Jack Merrett's heartbreak.
The album opens with the theatrical, flamboyant, and camp-esque 'Boxing Day' - an absolute ballad. Merrett's vocals provide a world in which you can lose yourself; they remind me a lot of Conor Oberst. Very reminiscent of that classic Midwest emo sound.
'What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your Life' has two of my favourite things - synths and drums. If you know me or are familiar with my writing, you'll know I love a bit of post-punk. Usually, that post-punk is a bit darker, moodier, scary even. But here, Famous has created some upbeat post-punk; honestly, it feels nostalgic. It feels like sitting in front of your GameBoy with some sweets, opening up your favourite game, and hearing its glorious instrumental. Midway through the track, things change. Merrett's vocals become scratchier, screeching or screaming? Either way, it's cathartic as fuck to listen to. What the fuck are we doing with our lives? Why are we doing it? These are questions which creep into my mind on the daily, but of course, I repress that shit (deep).
Alas, we couldn't stay in this sonic scape forever, and 'Warm Springs' has an immediate change in tone. It is darker, fuzzier, moodier. I suppose we have arrived at the depressive stage of grief - here, you can hear the hopelessness which follows a breakup. It is a rough ride, but necessary.
If you love fast basslines and climbing guitar riffs, 'God Hold You' is right up your alley - it does not fuck around. This is THE song to play in your headphones (loud) and walk down the street feeling like a badass.
On 'It Goes On Forever', things change again, it's mellower and gentler than the tracks before - eyes closed, headphones on, relax, philosophise, or head empty? Whatevers your cup of tea. Hell, eyes closed, headphones on, cup of tea. There we go.
Sometimes, I wonder what my song would be if I were to have a montage. Josie in 'Bottoms' had Avril Lavignes 'Complicated', and JJ in the latest season of 'Outerbanks' had Fontaines D.C.'s 'Starburster'. Well, if you were to ask me right now, it would be 'The Destroyer' - it's hopeful yet full of rage, sounds like your average Gen Z. The transition from 'The Destroyer' to fan favourite '2004' is great, by the way.
'Leaving Tottenham' is an amalgamation of two of my other favourite genres - it's shoegazy, but it also has a country aura to it. This carries on on the album closer, 'Love Will Find A Way,' which is strikingly different from the rest of the album. It is a raw song, stripped down to the bare bones of strings, keys, and Merrett's cathartic screams.
Famous is not confined to one genre, and it works - it doesn't sound messy, it doesn't sound confused, it sounds like Famous. They make it work, and I'm gonna go as far as to say that this is one of the most notable debuts I have heard in a long time, and definitely of 2024.
You can catch Famous on tour between the 2nd and 5th of December in the UK!
Famous BandCamp: https://famous0000000000.bandcamp.com
