Review: Frank Ireo and the Future Violents ‘Barriers’

Frank Iero and The Future Violents ‘Barriers’ album cover

Coming three years after the release of his sophomore release, former My Chemical Romance rhythm guitarist (and current scene legend) Frank Iero has released his third record, Barriers, this time under the name Frank Iero and the Future Violents. The 55-minute album features 14 tracks, spanning somewhere between post-hardcore, 2nd wave emo, and old fashioned punk rock.

Now, a confession: I haven't kept up with Frank Iero’s music as much as I would like to have, or as much as I probably should have. Since My Chemical Romance announced their split in 2013, I’ve mostly kept away from all music the members made, out of spite (or something.) What I have heard, mostly singles released from his previous two records, I enjoyed and respected from a distance. I also loved Leathermouth, Frank’s 2009 side project, which was the embodiment of teenage angst in a tight 30-minute album. Frank has previously operated under the monikers frnkiero andthe cellabration and Frank Iero and the Patience, and with each new project, a new sound is explored. On Barriers, Iero breezes through them all, more self-assured than before, creating cohesive while affectionate mosaic of his career. In other words, this record is an absolute blast.

Opening the record is an uncharacteristically slow track, ‘A New Day’s Coming’, inspired no doubt in part by Iero’s 2016 near-fatal bus accident in which he was dragged ten feet under a bus, an event Iero refers to as “one of the most important days of my life.” That year he stopped touring and took eight months to fully recover, not releasing music until now. The track explores themes of being lost, confused, and lonely, while never spending too much time on one. Iero positively croons here, replacing his usual shout-singing style for a genuine attempt at sounding pretty. He almost sounds convincing.

Already a fan favorite, ‘Basement Eyes’ is a bass heavy smash that seems to allude to his time in My Chemical Romance, with lyrics such as “What washed up on the shore was unrecognizable to the crowds gathered 'round/try to expose what they found, but they never understood.” Another high point comes from the punk rock glory anthem “Moto Pop,” a track that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Tony Hawk Pro Skater soundtrack, in the best way possible. Fast and angry, this is peak punk, reminiscent of the classics such as Motorhead and Bad Brains. Frank Iero clearly does not think punk is dead.

Closing the album is 24k Lush, the slowest song on the album that sounds like the ultimation culmination of every emo movement in music history, just summed up in five minutes. An excellent closer, possibly to a career, as Frank Iero has stated repeatedly that he doesn’t particularly enjoy being a solo artist. He plays the part well-- ultimately Barriers is his best solo endeavor yet, sounding the most confident and realized since his days in Leathermouth.

Barriers is Frank Iero playing music Frank Iero wants to make. In every track there is a sense of freedom, exploring new creative routes he previously either didn’t feel confident or comfortable in exploring. Though at times the record feels its length-- 55 minutes is long for any artist, let alone a punk album-- Iero manages to craft a focused and genuine record, full of homages to emo and punk classics. To anyone still mourning My Chemical Romance: it’s time to move on. Use this album to do so.