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Album of the Week: Bob Mould, 'Blue Hearts'

Bob Mould's album 'Blue Hearts' releases Sept. 25, 2020.
Bob Mould's album 'Blue Hearts' releases Sept. 25, 2020.Merge Records

by David Safar

September 28, 2020

Just in time for fall in Minnesota, Bob Mould releases his 14th studio album, Blue Hearts. Recorded in the heart of the Midwest, Mould went to Steve Albini's Electrical Audio in Chicago to record 14 raw tracks that embody the essence of his sound and writing.

The album opens with the stripped back production of "Heart On My Sleeve," a song that is no less heavy than the rest of the album's punk versus due to the intense opening lyrics. Mould sings, "[t]he left coast is covered in ash and flames," painting imagery that transcends the headlines. From start to finish, Blue Hearts, doesn't let up on themes of government, religion, the environment, and injustices. The energy and rage that Mould first channeled in the 80s returns on his 14th solo album that features longtime bandmates Jason Narducy and Jon Wurster. Listen closely for the strings on "American Crisis" and you'll hear the brilliance of Mould's rock architecture shine through the noise on one of the best rock albums of the year.

In June, The Current's Andrea Swensson caught up with Mould to talk about the album's first single "American Crisis".

Bob Mould performs in The Current studio
Bob Mould performs in The Current studio.
Mary Mathis | MPR