Among the most evident takeaways from the latest full length from Toronto punk unit The Flatliners, consistency and creative cohesion make for the kind of climate that results in punk's songwriting gold standard.
On Cold World, the common thread of continuity goes hand-in-hand with the stability of a line-up that has been working in lockstep for an actual generation. Like-mindedness and stylistic synchronicity aside, the band's brand of angst has always leaned articulate, with the kind of pen and that treats punk with earnest emotion, intellect and actual narrative.
For more than two decades, The Flatliners have long been the most interesting guys at the bar, producing the kind of songs that combine wit, introspection and obvious musical chops in a way that gives punk a element of sophistication.
That signature of sharp, sincere songwriting, combined with the stability working with the same people for decades makes Cold World the kind of presentation that feels familiar and yet fresh in the same 12 songs. If consistency is fundamental to craftsmanship, The Flatliners are among the most proven artisans in their space and have been for years.
Cold World only further cements that legacy.
Offering some insight to the seventh full length, the band broke down their latest presentation with a track-by-track synopsis.
In their own words, this is Cold World from The Flatliners.
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STOLEN VALOUR
In a time when the weight of the modern world is immense, it’s people may look to art as an escape, as refuge, and even as a grieving mechanism. Artists have a choice; to say something meaningful and report on that world around them, or make a candy commercial. This song is a declaration of love and focus in what we do as songwriters, and a message of distaste for when the sound of artistic integrity begins to fall faint. Because then we’re only left with an empty hum.
GOOD, YOU?
‘Good, You?’ is a snotty, tongue-in-cheek offering that successfully skewers the topic of toxic masculinity and the irrational fear we all seem to share of talking about our feelings.
INNER PEACE
‘Inner Peace’ takes aim at the sometimes snake-oily and always exhausting parallels between modern wellness and religious indoctrination. There’s perspective in the imperfect. There’s authenticity in the audacious. It’s an unrelenting beast, this quest for inner peace.
AND THEY'RE OFF
‘And They’re Off’ is a soundtrack for the mounting distractions we surround ourselves with on a daily basis to avoid dealing with our problems head on. Something to bop your head to while the world burns and we all keep fanning the flames.
ONLY DARKNESS
Sometimes the tank runs empty and the light burns out. Sometimes that firm grasp on your well-being loosens its grip just a little bit, and you’re left feeling like a marionette missing a string. And sometimes you’ve got the right people in your corner to help you get back on your feet. The darkness of existence is always there waiting for us when the spark fades. Let’s all carry the light each other needs to see where we’re going.
WHYTE LIGHT
This song is a loving tribute to a dear friend who we lost. Someone who shone so bright and fought so hard. Someone who taught us all a great deal about how to treat one another, how to give back to a community that’s provided us all with so much, and how to better understand ourselves in this precarious way of living. Someone whose effort was as infinite as their essence. This song is for Ben.
INTO ANNIHILATION
If Armageddon needs a theme song, we’d like to present ‘Into Annihilation’ for your consideration. The monumental mistakes we’ve made as the human race are biting at our heels, and we’re putting a beat behind it. As our days on this burning rock continue to feel numbered, we can all at least agree that there’s a little glee in singing about it in perfect harmony.
PULPIT
Our new single ‘Pulpit’ is a musical excavation of what always feels to be looming in the dark corners around us. Our palpable mortality, the deception of belief, and the beauty of decay. All wrapped up into a twist-and-turn two and half minutes that will just keep you guessing.
TURNING SIGNAL RHYTHM
When the road less traveled becomes the go-to itinerary, it’s easy to feel out of sync with your loved ones at home. No cell service, opposite schedules, loud environments and a voice that’s absolutely shot can all make it feel like the distance you are from home has just doubled. But communication is key, and love is king. It doesn’t matter how, you’ve just gotta make the phone ring.
GUSH
A number steeped in grief and rooted in remembering that heavy moment when you learned someone you loved is now someone you’ve lost. Sometimes the truth is an impossible thing to face, and anything else would bring more comfort. This song is for everyone who has found themselves in a powerful moment of loss; one that feels like a lifetime. One that forever changes your future.
BURN
Would it be so bad to watch some of this burn? Some of this world where we treat each other so poorly? Where turmoil and greed are inescapably in vogue? Where we claw at each other in a constant fever dream of envy and shame? Let’s stand over the flame until ashes remain.
UNITED IN SPITE
There’s something beautiful about friendship at the end of the world. Bound together in the face of what feels like humanity’s series finale, we drift out into the darkness that’s ahead. At least we get to choose who we drift with.
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Cold World, the latest album from The Flatliners is now available via Equal Vision Records. Get the album - HERE
Catch The Flatliners on the road on the Cold World Tour with domestic and international dates throughout the year. Get a current list of dates and cities below. Get tickets - HERE
