We Are the Union – “Morbid Obsessions”

SXSW 2023 - OEB Score: 7; Popularity Index: 7

Pairs Well With… Frank Turner, blink-182, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

We Are the Union has been around for fifteen years but is riding what is being heralded as the 4th wave of ska music. Apparently I missed waves two and three, but I remember how much fun it is to dance to the original ska beat; think speeded up reggae (with horns) played by (mostly) white guys. What makes We Are the Union unique is how they combine ska with crisp pop punk. Their recent album is Ordinary Life is a fun-sounding but sincere and purposeful work, released soon after the news that lead singer Reade Wolcott had come out as a trans woman.  Her struggles with gender dysphoria as well as triumphal celebration of self-discovery are the subjects of the many of the new songs. The best example of the later is one of my must hear songs for this SXSW, “Morbid Obsessions.” It’s a playful 90’s rocks anthem that exclaims that “If I get one life, I’m gonna do what I want.” It’s catchy and the ska beats function as its pop propulsion. The ripping horn solo is also not to be missed.  

Other new songs range from ska forward (“Sound System” & “OHMYGOD”) to breezy pop that where the lyrics dominate, and the ska beats provide just background rhythm and pace (“Boys Will Be Girls”).   But don’t overlook the breadth of We Are the Union’s prior catalogue.  Check out the idiosyncratic biographical subjects, “I am Like John Cusack…” and “Rasputin,” both examples of the band’s pure pop punk sound.  OEB expects that We Are the Union will put on dynamic and fun show, tempered with seriousness and consequential content. (David Zlotnick)