B-Side Guys

Say Anything, the brainchild of Max Bemis, returns with “AUTO-HARMONIC ASS FIXATION,” a track that simultaneously embraces and lampoons the band’s emo roots. For long-time fans who’ve followed Say Anything since their “…Is a Real Boy” era, this latest offering is a nostalgic rollercoaster ride through familiar territories with a fresh, self-aware twist.

The song, part of their newest album “…Say Anything,” bursts forth with the raw energy and unfiltered honesty that first endeared the band to listeners. Bemis’s distinctive vocals, at once vulnerable and defiant, cut through a wall of distorted guitars and pulsing drums. The instrumentation pays homage to the band’s earlier work while incorporating subtle nods to influences like Smashing Pumpkins’ “Adore” and Weezer’s “Pinkerton.”

Lyrically, “AUTO-HARMONIC ASS FIXATION” is a masterclass in self-referential wordplay. Bemis weaves together deeply personal narratives with tongue-in-cheek commentary on the band’s history and the emo genre at large. This delicate balance between sincerity and satire creates a listening experience that’s both emotionally resonant and wickedly entertaining.

The production on the track is deliberately rough around the edges, capturing the raw intensity of Say Anything’s live performances. This unpolished approach serves the song well, emphasizing its status as both a continuation of and commentary on the band’s legacy. It’s as if Bemis is simultaneously channeling his younger self and critiquing it, resulting in a sound that’s paradoxically both familiar and entirely new.

“AUTO-HARMONIC ASS FIXATION” stands as a bold statement in Say Anything’s discography. It’s a track that will likely surprise and delight long-time fans, while potentially winning over those who may have drifted away from the band in recent years. In the landscape of emo band reunions, Say Anything has crafted something truly unique – a self-aware celebration of their past that points towards an intriguing future.