FRND CRCL, a pop punk trio from New Jersey, is officially back with their fourth full–length album, JRSY FRSH. Although JRSY FRSH is the band’s fourth album, it is their first ever independent release from their newly founded music label, Crusty Wrapper Records. On the band’s official Instagram earlier this month, they stated, “Building our own world. We’re happy to announce the launch of our independent label Crusty Wrapper Records. The new business end, central hub, and home for FRND CRCL.” FRND CRCL have been releasing music since 2018 and are known for being able to capture the 2000’s pop punk reminiscent sound while simultaneously trading off vocals, harnessing energetic guitar riffs, and catchy melodies with their past three albums. JRSY FRSH is an expansion of their New Jersey pop punk roots while the band lyrically dives into themes about adolescence, navigating relationships, trust, love, and heartbreak throughout the album.
JRSY FRSH clocks in at 27 minutes and consists of 8 tracks that are sonically nostalgic yet brand new all at once. The album opens up with the newest single “Shut Up” — an energetic song that demands your attention from the moment the first verse starts with fast–paced lyrics and a punchy guitar riff. The chorus feels stadium sized with the heart wrenching lyrics, “Do you always have to be right? / Another night when you can’t make up your mind / And you’ve wasted all my time.” You feel like you are being pushed through each part of “Shut Up”: sonically, emotionally, and lyrically, easily making it a standout song on the album.
The rest of the singles that FRND CRCL released prior to this album’s release easily showcase the versatility that the band is capable of. “Late Nites” — the most explorative song on the album — is a bold fusion of country and pop punk elements neatly tied together with storytelling lyrics that thematically fits with the rest of the album. “Nice Guy” quickly channels angsty energy in its catchy chorus with lively backing vocals, screaming heavy hitting lyrics that explore frustration within the dating scene — a true universal experience that many of us have unfortunately had. The first single, “Dream Guest” is certainly a song that turns heads from the very beginning, opening with Jojo Siwa talking about who the dream guest on her podcast would be. “Dream Guest” feels like a reimagined version of Jojo’s song “Karma”, but it’s pop punk and arguably much better (no disrespect to Jojo, but FRND CRCL wins this round). “FRVR”, the album’s closing song, feels bright and radiant with a playful guitar riff that transcends into an energetic chorus with lyrics full of yearning from a self–introspective lens.
The hidden gem on JRSY FRSH that needs to be highlighted is “Ghosted”. It feels dreamy from the moment you press play. When the guitar riff comes in at a slower tempo right before the first verse starts, it instantly feels different than every track on the album. As it builds up to the chorus, Aaron Smith (drums) and Zac Johnson (guitar, vocals) display their ability to simultaneously execute an intricate breakdown together that catches you off guard as you seamlessly transition into the beginning of the chorus. “Ghosted” is full of lyrics that feel darker and somehow even more vulnerable than the rest of the album. The lyrics in the chorus scream, “I’ve been stuck in your daydream ever since I was 18 / We fell in love like we were innocent stupid little kids,” making you feel reminiscent of meaningful connections you have had throughout your life. It’s one of those songs that transports you to your youth as if no time has passed.
With their fresh, new fast paced album, JRSY FRSH, FRND CRCL perfectly showcases their ability to transport listeners with their emotional storytelling while embracing and expanding their New Jersey pop punk roots. JRSY FRSH is a skipless album that takes the listener on a journey through so many different emotions with relatable themes and subjects throughout each song. It creates a cohesive story that you definitely don’t want to miss out on.