Since the dawn of the 20th century, Chicago has been at the forefront of music. You can track it from the city’s rich history with blues and jazz and into the sweaty escapades of the ’90s alternative. But brewing over the past few decades has been Chicago’s vast tapestry of noise rock acts. Bands from the Wax Trax days like Ministry and Naked Raygun laid the groundwork with immense attitude. BIG’N, Tortoise, and Shellac solidified the scene by combining the energy of the first generation with the DIY ethos of post-punk.
Carrying the proverbial torch in the current generation would be none other than FACS.
On Wish Defense, the group has staked out a fresh claim to that title. Inspired by Doppelganger: A Trip into the Mirror World the 2023 treatise by social activist Naomi Klein, this sixth album explores the duality of self. It explores how society in the digital age has found itself lost between opinions and untruths.
Collectively, we entertain ideas and theories on our screens that run contrary to objective facts. Thus, we have inadvertently created another version of ourselves. We can somehow function in waking life while also being stuffed full of ideals and principles that may or may not be scientifically sound. Sure, FACS has always traversed in self-reflective lyrics, Wish Defense rarely lets up on these themes. It’s truly the most progressive album in their catalog.
From a production standpoint, this was the final album from legendary producer, Steve Albini.
In fact, it’s difficult to talk about Wish Defense without discussing him. Sadly, Albini’s untimely passing occurred halfway through the album’s production. FACS worked with engineer Sanford Parker using Albini’s notes to finish the project. While Albini will go down in history as one of the most important producers in rock, he hated being called a producer. On Episode 9 of the Crushed Monocle Podcast, Albini went to great lengths to explain how he never aims to have a signature sound. His goal was always to help each band bring to life their vision for their record.
However, it’s easy to see why Albini’s approach was the perfect fit for FACS.
I can’t imagine a record in recent memory to feature drums that sound like those Wish Defense. The kit sounds like it’s sitting directly in your living room. Every beat is tight and crystal clear without sounding stifled by processing. The bass (now played by original member Jonathan VanHerik, replacing longtime bassist Alianna Kabala) is equally as pristine. One minute, it rattles the fillings in your teeth, but in the next, it punches you in the face. The guitar work also features a fair amount of evolution. The clean tones are as ominous as ever but tracks such as “Desire Path” reveal an unexpected yet satisfying flirtation with shoegaze.
Clocking in a little over half an hour, Wish Defense demands to be listened to loud.
It’s the sound of a band firing on all cylinders, focused on a cohesive plot and driven by purpose. While the album doesn’t color too far out of the lines with experimentation, it reveals a welcome emphasis on aggression. By relying less on a sonic atmosphere and more on attitude, the music perfectly conveys the reflective theme of duality. It’s a cathartic and intense experience that showcases FACS at the peak of their powers. It’s also the most accessible in their repertoire while still pleasing longtime fans.
FACS has always possessed the ability to grow and experiment while staying true to their core sound is what sets them apart from their peers. The band can push their own boundaries and create something unique without sacrificing what makes them special. That’s what makes them the stalwarts of Chicago’s noise-rock scene while also serving as one of the most consistent bands in post-punk.
Wish Defense is available now from Trouble In Mind Records and on FACS Bandcamp.