Against Me! LP CoverIt’s impossible to talk about Against Me! without first mentioning the bands singer and leader Laura Jane Grace. Formally Tom Gabel, Grace came out as transgender in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine in 2012. Though the confession naturally came as a massive shock, in truth the signs had always been there with numerous of the band’s songs littered with references to Grace’s struggles with gender dysphoria. Two years on from the announcement and ‘Transgender Dysphoria Blues’ arrives, the band’s first release since Tom became Laura.

It comes as no surprise that the topic of identity dominates the album. Grace wastes little time broaching the subject either; “You want them to notice/The ragged ends of your summer dress/You want them to see you/Like they see any other girl/They just see a faggot” she’s screams on the chorus of the blistering title track. Subtle it is not, but then again, Against Me! have never really done subtle and this album is no exception.

The theme continues throughout the album with Grace describing her struggle for identity with unapologetic honesty. At times she is reflective; “You should have been a mother/you should have been a wife” she mourns on True Trans Soul Rebel. Elsewhere her despondency turns to anger; Drinking With The Jocks sees her at her most visceral as she launches a tirade against jock culture and homophobia. Not all the anger is directed outwards; at times it’s obvious she is crippled by self-doubt; “Chipped nail polish and a barbed wire dress/Is your mother proud of your eyelashes” she laments on FuckMyLife666, her insecurity coming to the fore.

The heart-on-sleeve lyrics obviously take centre stage but the musical side to this album isn’t without merit either. While the band’s early work was defined by a raw and abrasive sound, their last two offerings have seen them adopt a much more radio friendly approach. This album lies somewhere in between with the band finding the perfect balance between the raucous punk rock bluster of old (Osama Bin Laden As The Crucified Christ, Black Me Out) and melodic Replacements-esque college rock of latter releases  (Dead Friends, Two Coffins).

The last couple of years have witnessed something of a renaissance in punk music with a lot of great bands making great music and the need for serious discussion has risen over who is the genre’s best act. With ‘Transgender Dysphoria Blues’, Against Me! well and truly claim the crown. With it’s passion, vigour and fuck you attitude to society, this album embodies everything the genre should stand for.  An early contender for album of the year, this is the first essential record of 2014.