Fall Out Boy, So Much (For) Stardust Review

by John Gaddis

Fall Out Boy is releasing their first album since 2018’s M A N I A, which garnered a GRAMMY nomination for Best Rock Album and marked their third consecutive and fourth overall #1 album.  So Much (For) Stardust finds the band reuniting with renowned producer Neal Avron. In addition, the album marks their return to the Fueled By Ramen/Elektra record label.

Fall Out Boy is Patrick Stump, vocals and guitar; Pete Wentz, bass, vocals; Andy Hurley, drums; and Joe Trohman, guitar.

“Love From The Other Side” opens with a symphonic introduction that builds to a meaty rock beat. Stump sounds wonderful; his vocals are rich and carry the power of the song with conviction. Fall Out Boy keeps things simple and to the point as they create a song with a catchy melody, relatable lyrics, and great vocals.

“Technology has made it really easy to make records much more quickly these days. There’s nothing wrong with that, and that spontaneity can be exciting,” shares FOB’s Patrick Stump. “But we wanted to get back to the way we used to work. We wanted to make a record that was really lovingly crafted and deliberate and patiently guided – like someone cooked you a delicate meal. I’m not a very proud guy, but I’m pretty proud of this record.”

That ease of communication comes through in the band’s writing and Stump’s vocal comfort. “Hold Me Like a Grudge” is a great product of this.

Stump sounds confident and owns the vocal line. Even in the 70s’ influenced “What a Time To Be Alive,” Stump’s comfort level can be heard.

“Our band has been an ongoing art project for twenty years, and we know there have been many inception points along that journey,” says FOB’s Pete Wentz. “We wanted to create an album that merged those points – something new but carved from our foundation. Fueled By Ramen and Elektra seemed like the perfect home for this.”

Fall Out Boy has achieved their goal with So Much (For) Stardust.