Providence punk poppets Downtown Boys are a lot of chaotic, sometimes skronky fun, but still have a lot to say. Lead vocalist Victoria Marie Ruiz yelps in Spanish and English, spitting out invective about the state of the world, asking for clarity when things are so confusing, and demanding equality, tired of the widening gap between the haves and have-nots; hence the album title. In the words of Victoria Marie:

“We as the people have the power — and we will have it all. The ultimate burn to injustice is taking the dirt, the shards, the smoke of it all in the struggle for freedom and liberation — finding power in the mundane — I think that is the story to be told…”

Thankfully, despite the political affirmation, it never gets too hectoring or tedious, as the band are gifted musicians, unafraid to flip the script. Joe De George’s wild saxophone playing is another constant. There’s enough rhythmic and tonal variety to keep things pacy and interesting. ‘Enemy Without’ and ‘Public Works’ err on the old-school thrashy punk side, while squidgy electronics and drum machine are leaned into on ‘You’re A Ghost’ and the playful ‘Mi Concha’. ‘The City Begins’ and ‘No Me Jodas’ both canter along at a clip, kicking up dust and reminding me of the darker side of cowpunk, of the early eighties.

There’s something wonderful about seeing impassioned younger bands take up the mantle, inspired by The Gun Club, Dead Kennedys, The Slits, etc, but Downtown Boys’ USP is their bilingual restlessness.