A GUIDE TO MANIA

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01. YOUNG AND MENACE                        

Given how experimental, challenging and flat-out unique this single is – and how many extreme reactions it’s already inspired – making it the opening track feels like a bold move. Though the band abandoned many of their original ’M A  N   I    A’ sessions, ‘Young And Menace’ leads the charge.  

2. CHAMPION

Set to be a fixture on every motivational playlist from now ‘til the end of time, the four-piece’s latest huge, us against the world anthem was co-written with Sia – and considering its stirring chorus, that turned out to be a match made in heaven.

3. STAY FROSTY ROYAL MILK TEA

Driven by a blunt, stabbing bassline and a brilliantly sassy performance from Patrick Stump (like, so sassy) here’s just under three minutes of seething and confrontational weirdness. Catchy weirdness

4. HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T

This track represents something completely new for Patrick, Pete, Joe and Andy – drawing more from Latin pop than the musical worlds they came up through. It’s clear that anything goes on ’M A  N   I    A’ , and that’s just how they want it.

5. THE LAST OF THE REAL ONES

You know that massive, end-of-the-night, heart-in-mouth song that all great arena bands have? Well… FOB have a bunch of those already, but another won’t hurt. "‘Cause you’re the last of a dying breed…"

6. WILSON (EXPENSIVE MISTAKES)

Combining electronic, tropical-sounding alt-pop with some brilliantly cutting lyrics (“I hate all my friends / I miss the days when I pretended with you”) and a likely nod to The Addams Family in the chorus (“I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker colour”), this is a curveball and then some. 

7. CHURCH

Oh, and here’s something completely different again. Packing an organ, handclaps and a choir, this is FOB’s amped-up version of gospel-pop, with bells on. No, literally, there are bells all over the place. Soaring above it all is Patrick Stump’s incredible, inimitable voice.

8. HEAVEN’S GATE

Continuing the theme – albeit in a more sultry way – this feels like a cross between vintage R&B, ‘50s pop, and classic ‘lighters up’ Fall Out Boy, just for starters. You’ve not heard anything quite like this before.

9. SUNSHINE RIPTIDE

“Take all your possibilities then take away the limits” sings Patrick here, and that’s clearly what the band have aimed for throughout ’M A  N   I    A’. This is another shock on an album full of them: drawing on dub and dancehall (and featuring a guest vocal from Burna Boy). It’s likely to come into its own this summer.

10. BISHOPS KNIFE TRICK

It’s been a rollercoaster, so it’s fitting that the record ends on a more melancholy and thoughtful note; the band switching gears one more time for a downbeat but surprisingly catchy ballad. The last minute or so feels properly epic, in particular. If you’re wondering, the title likely refers to a scene from Aliens and a knife game you should definitely definitely definitely definitely definitely never try at home.