‘In Some Way, Shape Or Form’ is a competent, coherent, but decidedly unfortunate release for Four Year Strong that sees them discarding most of the pop punk and melodic hardcore sensibilities that leant them their widespread accessibility and crossover appeal in the first place. The band’s trademark hard-biting, soaring hooks and dynamic vocal interplay laced with large, well-positioned nods to a heavier sound have taken the wayside on this album, weighed down beneath a wall of influences sourced largely from contemporary radio rock. Despite having the potential to please some fans, it is inevitable that this dramatic shift will isolate many longstanding listeners of the band.

Fucked Up’s third album “David Comes To Life” is the most complete work a punk band, or even band in general, could possibly create. Canada’s finest hardcore outfit have successfully and stylishly pulled off a legitimately cool ‘rock opera’, a term which generally makes most people cringe to their core. The perfect marriage of pop melodies and unapologetic heaviness, of intelligent poetry and punk rock sonic chaos on “David Comes To Life", is testament to the fact that Fucked Up are now the only band in the world who would look at home playing a sweaty basement or sold-out arena.

It's hard to say if Fair To Midland's songwriting has progressed on this record as they have always just done their thing and there is so much going on that it is hard to pinpoint their sound. The quality of their sound however has certainly improved with production worthy of the eclectic route the music takes making 'Arrows And Anchors' an entertaining listen from start to finish.

The Drug In Me Is You, for the most part, is a disappointment. Falling In Reverse’s attempt to create catchy post-hardcore/metalcore is, a lot of the time, cut off at the knees by the fact that the music relies so heavily on its need to be catchy. And fearing it doesn’t hit this mark, Radke will sing it to you loudly and try and convince you otherwise, “Magically/ I turned tragedy/Into melodies/Over catchy beats/It comes so naturally/That's why they call me King Of The Music Scene”. However, if you simply take the choruses into account this is a band that shows a lot of potential and could grow to release something memorable. Or maybe that is just wishful thinking.

“Gospel” marks another forward step for one of America’s most important pop punk acts. Fireworks’ style won’t appeal to all, but it’s likely that minds will probably have already been made about this band before coming at this record. For those out there that already love this band, “Gospel” well and truly lives up to its ambitious title.

The title of the album is justified as the lyrics are rooted deep in Turner’s hometown and helps to represent the personal place this album is coming from. ‘England, Keep My Bones’ will not only keep his fans extremely happy, it will also cement him as one of the best songwriters alive at the moment.

Iowa's Former Thieves arrive with their debut LP, and it's a noisy affair. The Language That We Speak changes from fast, aggressive hardcore to droning, darkly melodic interludes with little warning. It's an impressive debut, yet one gets the impression they are still finding their feet. Upon listening to one song you might find yourself intrigued, however the album doesn't deliver the originality and focus the band hints that they are capable of. Pick this up if you appreciate stormy, dark hardcore but don't expect your musical horizons to be blown apart.

Front End Loader are certainly their own band and have stayed true to their style over the years. ‘Ritardando’ isn’t the type of record that would have “fit in” back in the band’s heyday, nor is it really full of currently relevant music for today. While it won’t bring back the great pub rock bands of old it is a great little offering from a solid band who just do what they do.

‘¡Hey, Hey Pioneers!’ isn’t a stellar record, by any means. As a debut, it is respectable – though given Pierre is a seasoned campaigner, I think it’s fair to have expected a bit more. It’s hard to determine whether for him this is a serious gig, or a distraction from his main work. If the former, I hope over time they can develop on their strengths and buff their weaknesses. If they can do this, they’re capable of making some decent pop rock; as evidenced by a few precious nuggets on this record.

“When The Smoke Clears” offers ten tracks of pure, unrelenting sonic violence. Foundation’s latest effort holds absolutely no punches, this record proving them as one of the heaviest hardcore acts out there today. No doubt this quality release along with their enviable spot on the Bridge 9 roster will soon elevate their profile to that of other B9 bands like Have Heart, Cruel Hand and Defeater.