Psychostick "Do" Review

You ever take a shot out of a shoe? You wanna go to a bar and throw darts at a circle? You wanna go to a club and pay $30 a drink to flop around? These are just some of the questions asked in the new Psychostick album Do. The album was surprise released last week through the band's Twitch live stream so if you're a real fan you've probably heard it by now and if you're holding off or aren't familiar with the band, here's what you're missing.

The album kicks off with “We Are A Band”, just to remind you that Psychostick are indeed, a band. The song is heavy and symphonic, introducing you to Psychostick. The main problem is halfway through the intro, the band is interrupted by a phone call. Cutting it short, they're right back at it and let you know that they are Psychostick. Now would be a good time to let you know that Do is split into 3 parts. Each section is split up by rough mixes of “Got No Breaks” which we will touch on later.

Let's hope into the first really relatable track, “You Can (Maybe) Do It”. Psychostick don't pride themselves on intricate song writing and they don't follow the standard metalcore tropes like overly predictable breakdowns in every song. Instead, they pride themselves on being real, to an extent. “You Can (Maybe) Do It” is the anthem for those of us who sometimes just need to sulk over something to feel better about it. “Adulting”, the first single from the album, is much of the same. Do you think it sucks to be an adult? Do you ever need to just call into work to play Mario? This one's for you. On top of that, it's heavy. Legitimately heavy and does feature a breakdown, but it's far from expected. “From the Heart” is a bit of a random song on the album. It's a ballad, trading in the distortion for acoustic guitars and singing from the heart. This is a song for everyone you hate, stating very, very clearly how much you can resent one person. Last from the first act of this album is the title track. I love the riff in this song and that's kind of the point. We all do it, when you listen to a really catchy riff you “dododo” along with it and that's exactly what “Do” is. It couldn't be any more simple.

Where's my introverts at? Everyone knows “there ain't no party like an introvert party because an introvert party don't start!” Some of us like to just chill at home and play games online, so be it. Honestly, the riffs in this track are great, super upbeat and more fun than an actual party. Anyone who's not a fan of crowds can absolutely relate to this track. “Thinkin With Yer Dick” is probably the most pop-y upbeat song on the album. The instrumentals are super happy sounding and the lyrics are exactly what you think. Funny enough it leads into the next track “Uncle Material”, the perfect track for the child-free. A mix between traditional metalcore and children’s lullabies, this song is simple. It’s about not wanting kids and being harassed about how you’re making a mistake by not having kids. If there’s any song that should be listened to for legitimate social commentary, this is it. Psychostick, dealing with the real issues! “Bacon Eggs and Cheese on Toast With Sriracha” is literally just that as lyrics. It’s a song about breakfast, but it’ll make you hungry, I made exactly that after listening to this album the first couple times. Ballad number 2 time, “Stream Stutter” is a bit more sad than “From the Heart”. It’s a bit more real, while from the heart is kind of a sillier one, anyone in a relationship has felt the pain described in this song. Have you ever started watching a show with your significant other and they continue without you? It’s that type of betrayal described in “Stream Stutter”.

The final act of Do is very much just about everyday life. “Socks and Sandals” showcases the joy and comfort of going to the store in socks and sandals and pajama pants. It’s weird how easy it is to sing along with this album. Normally when you think of sing-a-long metal, you think power metal. Not metalcore. Along those lines, mornings are pretty mellow right? You get up go through a slow groove of getting breakfast. The instrumentals to “Keys” nails this perfectly. Incredibly jazzy, very bass heavy with a simple drum beat, this song is about leaving for work. Oh no you can't find your keys, then you really can't find your keys. Then you get pissed off. Que the blastbeats and harsh vocals, which are really more yelling than the band's normal harsh vocals. “Moving Day” is the longest on the album. It's a pretty standard and consistent song. Instrumentals don't change much throughout outside of from verse to chorus. “Moving Day” is about just that, helping a friend move. It's a song that nails how annoying moving is, regardless of whether it's you moving or just helping someone else.

This is easily the best album Psychostick have dropped. They Do their best with this one, nailing the feelings and thoughts everyone has doing everyday things. While previous albums had a mix between real life and surreal, this one is entirely real life. While it's a fun album, you'll listen through, laugh your ass off and go “yup, I know that feeling all to well.” If you're up for a good laugh and like metal that isn't all serious and br00tal, Psychostick's Do is absolutely an album you should check out.