Taking the acronym that forms their name ("F*ck it dog, life's a risk") as a literal credo, L.A. garage punks
FIDLAR make an attempt to evolve past the dumb but somewhat endearing slackery of their early days with
Almost Free, their third full-length. For a band whose primary themes involved getting baked, getting wasted, skating, and partying, the growing pains that come with trying to be taken more seriously are going to be tough. Their sophomore release, 2016's
Too, wrestled with frontman
Zac Carper's newfound sobriety in the face of the group's chosen lifestyle and typical subject matter; on
Almost Free, they further complicate things by introducing some politics and social commentary into the mix.
FIDLAR have made legitimate attempts to get out of their creative comfort zone and go somewhere new. Recording at Hollywood's legendary Sunset Sound with Ricky Reed (
Jessie J,
Twenty One Pilots),
FIDLAR strike out in a variety of different directions, landing some new tricks and slamming a few more along the way. Gentrification-railing opener "Get Off My Rock" recalls the edgy rap-rock sound of the
Beastie Boys while some of the more streamlined rock tones introduced on tracks like "Can't You See" and the horn-laden "Scam Likely" add new depth to the band's palette. ~ Timothy Monger