Album Reviews

Clocking in at just under 20 minutes, Jenkem sees The Dwarves pack 14 brand-new tracks into a whirlwind of a record. And in case you were wondering: no, "politically correct" still doesn't apply to these guys.

Gone is the genre-hopping experimentation of albums like The Dwarves Must Die. Instead, Blag Dahlia and company either tear through full-throttle hardcore ragers (“Drug Lust,” “I Must Confess,” “I Wish You Were Dead”) or lean into their signature pop-punk hooks (“We Are The Scene,” “I’m Dead,” and “Melania,” a uniquely moving tribute to the First Lady). I tend to favor the melodic side here, especially since the Nick Oliveri-fronted cuts don't quite pack enough punch to stand out. The album's crowning jewel is the mid-tempo, ridiculously catchy “Damned If I Do.” At two minutes and two seconds, it practically feels like a sprawling epic compared to the rest of the tracklist.

How they keep this energy going after all these years is beyond me, but The Dwarves remain as vital as ever. Still well worth your time, your money, and your drugs.

JENKEM track listing:

1. Confused
2. We Are the Scene
3. Drug Lust
4. Damned If I Do
5. Must Confess
6. Too Messed Up
7. I'm Dead
8. Bad Drugs
9. I Wish You Were Dead
10. Psychosis Tripping
11. Hey Melania
12. Here We Come Again
13. Be Ruthless Destroy
14. Last Chance