The Interrupters offer strength, love, and guidance on ‘In The Wild’

Recommended Tracks: “Raised By Wolves”, “In The Mirror”, “My Heart”
Artists You May Like: Less Than Jake, Streetlight Manifesto, Reel Big Fish

When life gets you down, you can either stay down and accept defeat or get back up and take the world by storm. For The Interrupters, the choice was easy: stay down and accept – just kidding. The band has decided to not only get back up and conquer all that comes their way, but to do so in their signature ska-punk style. Of course, they invite us along for this ride on their latest album In The Wild, as it would be too much to keep such ventures to themselves. Sharing important lessons while promoting strength and love, In The Wild is here for anyone unsure of how to move forward through this life.

Throughout In The Wild, lead vocalist Aimee Interrupter shares stories about her personal life, as we have heard on previous singles like “In The Mirror,” “Jailbird,” and “Anything Was Better.” On “Raised By Wolves,” she addresses the abandonment she experienced at an early age with the lines, “My life was shattered / And my heart’s got holes / You left a child / Out in the wild / And I was raised by wolves.” Still, she brushes off any signs of anger or regret by stating, “My teeth got sharper / My skin got tough,” making the best of an unfortunate situation. Aimee continues to take the high road on “Afterthought,” letting someone else from her past know that she is not a victim. Over an exultant rock production, she sings, “After the sad song of my childhood / You were a warm familiar tune / You cut me deeper than the ocean,” but observes, “I made it through the battle, stronger than I used to be.” She even goes as far as saying, “Thank you for the heartbreak / Thank you for the pain,” coming out on top.

We can interpret these songs in whichever way we choose, noting themes such as resilience, gratitude, or determination. Yet, The Interrupters get specific on other tracks, making their intentions clear. Anthemic and full of confidence, “Let ‘Em Go” is all about embracing who you are. Its classic ska sound provides extra comfort to lines like “When they try to take control / Let ’em go” and “If you ever feel like they don’t want your light to shine this bright / If you ever feel like you don’t have the right to live your life / Let ’em go.” There’s also “Kiss The Ground,” where we hear, “Every tribulation in life is a lesson / If you count your scars, then you’re counting your blessings.” One of the more prominent messages they give us on In The Wild, however, centers around love. With Tim Armstrong and Rhoda Dakar, they remind us “This is the time to love” on the previously released “As We Live” before teaming up with The Skints on “Love Never Dies” to foster this notion. Encouraged by soothing horns, Aimee sings, “And I know / In my soul / That love never dies,” knowing the power that love has to heal.

Fans of ska and punk are sure to love the lively and tropical vibes that radiate from the album, but there are also a few songs on there that stray from those sounds. We get a glowing rock ballad in the form of “My Heart,” with Aimee crooning, “My heart keeps beating / My heart keeps bleeding for you,” tortured by her conflicting emotions. Aimee then teams up with Alex Désert and Greg Lee from Hepcat for “Burdens,” which is part ska, part gospel. Together, they let their worries drift away to the relaxing beat, encouraging others to “Lay your burdens down” when life gets too complicated. The album then ends on a dramatic note with “Alien,” which is the first time we really feel Aimee’s vulnerability. Pouring her heart out over the heavy chords of a piano, she sings, “I don’t fit in / I’m struggling / I’m trying to be one of them / But I’m an alien around here,” looking for a way to connect.

Overall, In The Wild hits in all the right places. For those who feed off the music, the band has provided enlivening sounds and rhythms that keep the positive momentum going. If fans are more into the lyrics, then the support and encouragement we pick up from track to track is more than enough to go around. The album gives us the sense that there is no point in letting fears or doubts get the best of you, no point in making matters worse. The Interrupters totally understand that it is hard being out there in the world, in the wild, and have used their skills strongly on this project to take away the sting of it all.