Review: “Future Orphans” by American Standards

Is it possible to write a review without rose tinted spectacles on when its the final release from a band who you have enjoyed over the past fifteen years? Phoenix Arizona natives American Standards have been giving us innovative raw Hardcore with a lethal injection of Mathcore and Noise Punk since 2010, earning a reputation for chaotic high energy live performances laced with socially aware and politically charged lyrics. Somehow, seemingly against all odds, they managed to capture the essence of those shows like lightening on a bottle, starting out with their 2012 debut album “Still Life” and rarely slowing down for more than a few seconds. Returning to producer Jay Maas (Defeater, Counterparts) at Getaway Recording, the man who helped make that debut album a knock out for “Future Orphans” was an obvious choice, both records sharing a release date providing a certain sense of closure, especially given than no shows are planned in support of it. So do Vocalist Brandon Kellum, guitarist Corey Skowronski, bassist Steven Mandell and drummer Chris Daley still have the juice left in the tank to deliver one final statement?

Hammering the ball out of the park with a home run “Halloween 1985” is 94 second outburst of American Standards at the most self aware. Refusing to go away quietly they hit us with a surprisingly groove laden main riff and a caustic vocal before finishing with ear piercing feedback, happy to cross into Converge territory with an evil grin. Keith Buckley styled lyrics then burst from the chest like a cocaine fuelled heart attack as the chaotic fury of “Algorithm and Blues” with the line “if you can’t be used, you’re useless!” takes hold. Another moment of violent turbulence from a band who have specialised in it for the past fifteen years, there isn’t an ounce of fat to be trimmed or a second wasted. The floodgates then open with “Blueprints For A Model Citizen“, riffs flying in all directions as the spine juddering rhythms batter like the fists of a bare knuckle boxing champion. Kellum’s lyrics and vocals remain the heart of the matter and his calls for something more, a desire for a life less ordinary, feel like the driving force behind how far American Standards have come. We’ve all felt the pain of a 9-5 grind that simply won’t end so the sentiment resonates, Kellum’s ability to twist and contort his vocal stylings over these first three tracks demonstrating his powers at getting the best from his lyrics. Skuff Micksun joins for the vicious little ditty that is “Kodak Stare“, the band reaching maximum warp speed before introducing some helter skelter riffage and a spoken word that is exactly what the edge of the seat was made for. Its just so damn intense, like one final scream into the void.

How about a little Jazz? Between weighty staccato riff breaks bleed through some Jazz drums as “Heavy Halos” comes out swinging, pushing aside any thoughts of a mid album power ballad as it runs to the mosh pit. Breakdowns pile up like pancake stacks in a diner on the side of Route 66 before twisty bass and an unhinged vocal part call for straight jackets, the final verse as harsh as a woman scorned. Every Time I Die style riffage pours through the ear canals to the cranium with the infectious “Cowboy Mai Tai“, Kellum’s vocals as fierce as they’ve ever been. The raw repeated line “False. Face. Fractured in this broken mirror!” burns like wire, the southern swagger adding a spice that’s nice before one final punishment beating. 28 seconds of primitive programming titled “The Ever Expanding Nothing” maintains the energy while offering a metaphorical towelling down moment before one final track and “Death of The Audience” doesn’t disappoint. A full fat, high caffeine, all sugar American Standards number in Hardcore injected Punk, the band flog the dead horse with tongue in cheek humour and self aware depravity. A final nail in the coffin, this one has clearly been written safe in the knowledge that it will be the last and fully embraces the moment, squeezing every last drop of energy out of it. Restless, relentless and made by awkward souls, this final album is a fully fledged Eagle that soars on the thermals with the rest of the bands discography. It’s not some collection of leftover demos or incomplete ideas but something that stands proud beside the likes of our personal favourite “Anti-Melody” as a fitting conclusion to a career that has more ups and downs than a dirt bike trail and deserves to be cherished. American Standards might not have got the credit that they deserve in their time but their legacy will stand longer than Mount Rushmore [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Halloween 1985
2. Algorithm and Blues
3. Blueprints For A Model Citizen
4. Kodak Stare (ft. Skuff Micksun)
5. Heavy Halos
6. Cowboy Mai Tai
7. The Ever Expanding Nothing
8. Death of The Audience

“Future Orphans” by American Standards is out 30th June 2025