Often, album titles can hint towards what the album is about, or can offer some ideas as to how it could differ from past works. The Bronx, however, do not follow convention. Where the likes of Billy Talent eventually broke their eponymous titling last year, we now find ourselves facing the Los Angeles punk outfit's fourth self-titled record. Regardless of giving nothing away in the title, the record feels long overdue, and - in that sense - the fact there is a record at all is enough!
 Loud may be the name of the game, but don't mistake that as being without hearty content. 'The Unholy Hand' has an almost bluesy drawl to their punk roots, unrelenting in its power. 'Pilot Light' is just brimming with brilliance, from the punchy introduction to Matt Caughthran's bouncing vocals - albeit lighter than most on the record, the guitars pack the catchy spring in their step. And these compliments rear their head throughout - loud though many of the tracks may be, epic and aggressive in their production in execution, there's something simply brilliant about it, something exciting to listen to.
In terms of 'IV', 'Torches' is a game changer. Moderately reminiscent of Weezer's 'My Name Is Jonas', it lightly navigates the verse into an explosive chorus. Toying with tempos and different styles of guitar work to the punk onslaught rallying throughout, this is the flipside to their card - the proof that things can be successfully slowed and twisted - in turn, surpassing the standard of the rest.
There is a divide in their sound, with some tracks lying predominantly in their punk roots ('Under The Rabbit') while others lean towards a more straight rock vibe ('Along For The Ride'). Another anomaly comes in 'Life Less Ordinary', which feels more a stripped back, atmospheric build up to the punchy crescendo of 'Last Revelation'. And it's this excellent navigation between the peaks of their music to the more restrained moments that aids in separating each track.
"We’ve come too far - we’re too bizarre to turn back now," sings Caughthran. And it's just as well, because their persistence has made the years of waiting entirely worth it. It may only be January, but this feels like a record that will still stand out when the yearly round ups come around.
'IV' is released on Monday 4th February through White Drugs/ATO/PIAS. The Bronx tour the UK in February.
The Bronx UK & Ireland Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri February 8th 2013 - Brighton Concorde 2, Brighton
Sat February 9th 2013 - 53 Degrees, Preston
Sun February 10th 2013 - Cardiff University Students Union, Cardiff
Tue February 12th 2013 - Underworld, Camden, London
Wed February 13th 2013 - Underworld, Camden, London
Thu February 14th 2013 - Norwich Waterfront, Norwich
Fri February 15th 2013 - Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton
Sat February 16th 2013 - Glasgow Garage, Glasgow
Sun February 17th 2013 - The Garage, Aberdeen, Aberdeen
Tue February 19th 2013 - Manchester Academy, Manchester
Wed February 20th 2013 - Nottingham Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
Thu February 21st 2013 - The Cockpit, Leeds
Fri February 22nd 2013 - O2 Academy Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne
Sat February 23rd 2013 - Fleece, Bristol
Sun February 24th 2013 - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Mon February 25th 2013 - Cavern Club Exeter, Exeter
Tue February 26th 2013 - Chinnerys, Southend - on - Sea
Wed February 27th 2013 - York Duchess, York
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