Album Review: Why Love Now, Pissed Jeans

Why Love Now is the kind of record that belts out of your speakers with a ferocious swagger and smacks you around the face for sport. There is a slight whiff of Gallon Drunk and The Birthday Party off this glorious mess from the Pennysylvanian punks. Timing is everything listening to this record; it probably functions best as a shock to the system first thing in the morning, or if you want or need a raucous tune to take the edge off your day.
Production duties are handled by the legendary Lydia Lunch, who collaborated with Sonic Youth on their classic early single ‘Death Valley ’69’. Amidst all the gnarly noise there are blissful moments, like the gorgeous guitar solo on ‘Love Without Emotion’.
Yet for the most part, Pissed Jeans do what they do best and create layers of menacing, sense-shuddering noise. This is not for the faint-hearted, but don’t be too put off: there are some great pop nuggets buried in the mix. Why Love Now is a fine statement of intent from one of America’s heaviest and most interesting bands.