Album Review: Clay J Gladstone – Is This How I Die? (Def Wolf Records)

‘Is This How I Die?’ is the long-awaited debut album of Sydney punk rockers Clay J Gladstone. Blending alt rock, emo, indie, punk, the album will be available everywhere via Def Wolf Records on November 1st, 2024.

Embodying the words ‘long awaited’ and ‘much anticipated’, Clay J Gladstone’s debut album arrives with some mighty expectations. Especially as the build, which has seen countless singles released, has revealed a record that looks like it could be an album of the year contender. Why? Because they aren’t just anthemic, they’re believably anthemic. They don’t have to force anything, because this is who they are and what they do. They’re a band seemingly incapable of writing anything but relatable and anthemic punk rock that gets jammed in the brain.

Kicking things off with the exclamation mark that is the title track, Clay J Gladstone explode out of the blocks with a short, punchy, and excitable blast of pop-punk. Filled with plenty of energy and topped off with a stupidly catchy chorus. Although you should get used to hearing that about this band, and this album, as catchy music is all they do.

Hell, even when they’re at their heaviest sounding such as with Talk of the Town, they still craft a enjoyable party anthem. It, like a few more here, just happens to have more punky fire, touches of metal, and intensity.

The emo and alt vibes are front and centre in hilarious style for Post Modern Teenage Angst and Death by Idle Hands. Clay J Gladstone know exactly what they’re doing here, but do it in such a genuine way, it’s impossible not to love. Especially as the accessibility of these tracks doesn’t dimmish the chunky sound of punk rock. Accessibility that runs through this album like a bulbous vein and hits an all-time high with Why Does Everybody Hate Me? Yes, it has got a ‘miserable’ twist, but it’s still such a party anthem. Doesn’t misery like company after all?

Although before that comes along, Fight Me brings some bounce and after that, In All of My Disgrace goes the melodramatic route… hard. Of course, their emo edge is heavily melodramatic at the best of times, but there are moments when it’s enhanced to such a point, it’s impossible to not focus on that and that alone.

This is why a track like Three Cheers for Optimism is so much more enjoyable. The emo direction of this track is blended with robust punk rock and they’re experimenting while also being undeniably infectious, as per usual.

The album flies by, and with one hell of a singalong called Pessimist, one hell of a body shaker called For All Your Friends, one hell of a burst of likable energy called Parasite, and one hell of a dramatic listen called We All Die Alone, it reaches another apex. Ensuring that everyone will already be heavily satisfied even before the finale of Something to Lose comes along and ends things in big fashion. One half being heavy on the atmosphere and the other being a bit of post-rock head banger. It feels very final too, which is nice.

It really is an album of the year contender.

Clay J Gladstone – Is This How I Die? Track Listing:

1. Is This How I Die?
2. Talk of the Town
3. Post Modern Teenage Angst
4. Death By Idle Hands
5. Fight Me
6. Why Does Everybody Hate Me?
7. In All of My Disgrace
8. Three Cheers for Optimism
9. Pessimist
10. For All Your Friends
11. Parasite
12. We All Die Alone
13. Something To Lose

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