Born Ruffians – JUICE

Along with the sense of time, having a sense of fun has gone to the wind. Social gatherings have turned into Netflix-binging, navigating a morning commute has turned into puzzles, and grocery shopping for the last bag of flour to make bread has become a new sport.

So it’s important not to forget what “fun” means when I say the latest album from The Born Ruffians is fun. Genuine, honest fun.

JUICE is energetic, dynamic, and colourful. And because Luke Lalonde is at the album’s helm, there is plenty of poetic wordplay and storytelling to go around, mostly about the band’s growth over the last 15 years.

JUICE is the band’s sixth full-length and their first release under their new record label Wazy Haze Records. Starting out as high school friends, the Midland, Ontario natives eventually made the jump to Toronto and the rest is history. And that collection of memories, cohesiveness, hard work, and friendship has been poured out into their latest album.

A brass section rings open the album with “I Fall in Love Every Night”, a song about finding the best in the world, which comes at an ideal time with lyrics such as “Burning bright and evergreen / I can’t tell if you’re a dream / But you come to me and say everything’s gonna be alright”. A flurry of drum rolls, saxophone solos, and Lalonde’s howl take control of the record as it slings you into the next part of the 3-song opener. “Breathe” and “Dedicate” follow close behind, each with their own spirit and course.

“Breathe” is a reflective song about the power of memory, something very sentimental to a band that has lasted so long: “Memories strike a bolt of lightning into me / surfing on a sea of ecstasy / wonder how this all could come to be”. The syncopated jangling pop rock tune seamlessly flows into “Dedication”, which serves almost as a mantra of sorts to keeping to your own path and staying dedicated to yourself (or a sarcastic take on adhering to capitalism – depends on the angle).

His sardonic and cynical sense of humour comes out throughout the record, sometimes as little moments, like and others more smack in the face, such as with “The Poet [Can’t Jam]”. It’s part self-deprecation and part realization that success is often internal. A chorus of:

“I cant fight / I cant pray / I cant write / I cant obey / I cant see /I cant preach / I cant wake up / I cant sleep / Look at my tasteful use of metaphors, I think of things you’ve never ever heard before” splashes up against an unforgettable pop melody. It’s hard to feel sorry for yourself, or for anyone when you’re too busy singing and dancing along.

Their empathetic, music-vet attitude feels more charming and playful than bitter and unforgiving, the latter being an expectation after 15 years together. Almost as an ode to their past selves, they close the record on another 3 song series with “Squeaky”, “Hazy Wave” and most notably, “Wavy Haze”. About the song, Lalonde shares:

“I moved to Toronto when I was 19, after high school. As a band we all lived together in a house in Parkdale – Mitch, Steve and I with our friend Joel. I remember stacks of beers (Brava, Sol, and Labatt’s 50) jamming in the basement, writing in my bedroom, lots of anxiety and stuff going around me then too. I know I was mostly miserable at the time but I remember it fondly. The song’s lyrics came from that juxtaposition, and from looking back with a mix of longing, loss, relief, regret, and growth through this wavy haze of memory hovering around.”

“Wavy Haze” brings the album to a close on a heartfelt and powerful note, candidly sharing the feeling of reflection and growth. “That anxiety will exist forever, I think,” says drummer Steve Hamelin. “But the more you take your life into your own hands, it alleviates some of that anxiety.”

After six albums and 15 years as a bandmates and friends, it’s safe to say Born Ruffians have a tried and true understanding of taking life into your own hands.