We adults have to endure and bury so much inside ourselves, sometimes, all we need is to be free, saying “fuck it” with a middle finger. Square Tugs understand you more than anyone. They understand your need to scream, bang, hit and rock. Their pure, stripped-down, no-bullshit rock n roll is honestly the best thing that could happen after a long week of dealing with bullshit.

Tied into the disillusion of society and adult life, Monster Hits is a chaotically hard-hitting album that won’t allow you to stop once you press play. With 16 songs and only slightly under 28 minutes, Square Tugs stirs the air with their unapologetic lyricism and unmistakable rhythms. Punk rock is for the people, the underdog, the working class, the ordinary people. Its true existence is in the underground because that’s where it could be free and themselves, not playing by the rules of anyone, not have to obey. That’s the beauty of Monster Hits.

A heavily distorted drone with scream-spoken words that deliberately hit the crowds hard and brutal. Piercing, fierce rhythms are the soul of the music. They offer a simple yet true communal musical experience for everyone who longs to lose themselves on the floor. Their lyrics are confrontational and expressive. Yes, they can be intentionally rude or they could just be saying things no one dare to say, especially with all the censorship and “political” rightness going on. Songs like “I wanna Be The Minority” is self expressive and authentic. “I Don’t Like It” is honest and straightforward with a dose of anti-capitalism, anti-consumption social commentary.

Though their music is rooted in the core punk aesthetic, the band offers a modern upgrade to the genre. You could hear the smash of diversity in play in their music and it’s wild. They don’t always stick to the strict line of punk rock, and that’s part of being a punk band. They cover things that are more relatable and contemporary, like “Drag Queen Dad,” a fun and hard-to-miss track that you just can’t help but love. The first half of the album leans more into fast-paced hardcore rock while being rhythmically and lyrically in line with punk rock, creating that chaotic, problem-seeking, riot-inducing disturbance in the air. With “Police State” ending on a swirling alarm, “Apple of Your Eye” begins with a melodic piano passage — definitely not something you’d expect.

From the track, Square Tugs regroup and cross between punk and alternative rock. There appears to be a back and forth between relating subgenres, sometimes, a hint of metal flair tugs in nicely in sound, which seems to be natural occurrence. “Fat, Drunk, Stupid” offer a metallic, smashing anthem that’s truly messed up and uplifting.