I Listened to So Much (For) Stardust by Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy was one of the bands that got me into rock music—particularly the rock/pop/punk scene—and their albums have been a staple on my playlists since the 2000s. It’s been about five years since the band’s last album. And among the big releases on my radar for March 2023—supported by singles such as Love On The Other Side and Heartbreak Feels So Good—Fall Out Boy’s eighth studio album, So Much (For) Stardust, was very anticipated on my end.

So Much (For) Stardust really felt like a return to some of Fall Out Boy’s earlier music. It had less of the style and sounds that dominated Mania (2018), and it went heavier on the aspects that really made me love the band’s music. It was nostalgic in the right ways but doesn’t lean too much on what they’ve already done. Instead it offered a sort of sequel—especially with the visuals for Hold Me Like a Grudge (a continuation of the music video for This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race)—by delivering songs that felt refreshing.

As a longtime fan of Fall Out Boy, I’m so happy with this album!