Review: Viagra Boys - Viagr Boys
It’s not like Viagra Boys have anything to prove, but their new almost self-titled record lands right on target.
Four albums in, Viagra Boys don't need another validation lap. The Swedish post-punk troublemakers have spent years perfecting their formula and now present “viagr boys”, trading political rage for everyday absurdism, and somehow sounding sharper. Don’t let the clean sound and tighter production fool you, though… The Swedes may have cut back on the substances, but they haven’t exactly become ordinary grown ups. After all, we get a “simple and stupid” album, as frontman Sebastian Murphy puts it.
“Man Made of Meat,” the opener, sets the tone. Between humorous jabs, a Matthew Perry’s death reference, and a casual nod to your mum’s OnlyFans, Murphy rides a groovy bassline with effortless flair. It’s a funny track until it isn’t. We could try to unpack the hidden messages in the follow-up track “The Bog Body” - where the inevitability of aging (or decaying) amplifies a deep anxiety about mortality and loss but, fun fact, it all stems from a real story: Murphy and his girlfriend were discussing a news piece about a remarkably well-preserved body, found under ice with hair and nails still intact. The conversation triggers jealous feelings in his partner, laid out clearly in the song: “How come you are upset, do you think she’s a threat to you? / I can’t help if I’m impressed, it has nothing to do with you / You are consumed by jealousy.”
The record maintains this tone, inviting the listener to search for deeper meaning while never guaranteeing there’s anything to uncover. Take “Pyramid of Health,” where the narrator lays out the results of an endoscopy. His stomach is “merely fried from eating cigarettes for breakfast.” Yet redemption remains oddly straightforward. Just follow seven simple steps to avoid a tragic outcome. The sequence keeps your foot tapping and your brain buzzing at a silly frequency, as I’m doing it right now to “You N33d Me.” “Store Policy” leans into an interesting experimental territory, while tracks like “River King” and “Medicine for Horses” offer a slow-burning counterweight, keeping the tracklist balanced.
Viagr Boys exists in this uncomfortable middle space where sticking to a straight path feels impossible. I believe longtime fans will appreciate the album, while the concept behind it may draw in new listeners as well. They've figured out how to do their thing without repeating themselves, how to stay weird without trying too hard. This is danceable, fun, punk and probably their best LP (there, I said it).
Album Highlights:
Man Made of Meat
Pyramid of Health
You N33d Me
Replayability Level: Frequent Rotation
