FOOTBALLHEAD – Overthinking Everything Review

What does FOOTBALLHEAD sound like?

A tour of all your favourite 90s MTV rock bands smooshed into one.

The review of FOOTBALLHEAD – Overthinking Everything

Channelling the janglier and poppier side of the mid to late 90s radio rock as the heavier shredding took over the grungier muddier side of rock, FOOTBALLHEAD’s debut album is a like a refreshing wave of energy. Initial the solo project of Chicago-based Ryan Nolen, the now quartet FOOTBALLHEAD is in its element with pristine production, catchy riffs and an emo whine that still stings in 2024. This album is like a time machine.

Not one song on ‘Overthinking Everything’ clocks over three minutes. This means that the band switches from anthemic power chords to big choruses at a breakneck pace to clear 13 songs in well under 30 minutes. Whilst there are elements of a darker, heavier edge – especially on the sub-two-minute tracks, largely this is a catch rock album with an edge behind it. That said ‘Tightrope’ is a two-minute glory run of sadder emo rock with a punch that showcases FOOTBALLHEAD at its absolute best. Tight chords, a big chorus and a catchy guitar solo thrown in for good measure.

What surprises the listener is how diverse a single track can split. After the power surge opener of ‘Rug’, ‘Snowball’ flips from big moments to ethereal and strange slow-motion gazing and back again in two minutes. ‘Like A Blister’ touches on electro-acoustic indie sadness before adding grizzly sizzling guitars for a dirtier and indie sound. The juxtaposition of this with the huge power chords and clean production of ‘Habits’ of all the top-tier rock bands who added a smattering of punk in. Lyrically, there is a thread of describing the pains of everyday existence. Be that anxiety, the pressure of growing up and working your way into your own skin. The lyrics are universal and personal and suit Ryan’s vocals. He straddles the indie and punk rock scene wearily and heavy-heartedly and adds just enough sadness to his lilt.

FOOTBALLHEAD often uses frequency phasing and distant drum machines to create a retro sound. This is what the pretty and ethereal ‘Are You Sorry On The Way Back Down?’ bathes in. The track is sandwiched between two of the longer tracks. ‘Talking Nonsense’ sounds like a Belly and Bush song had a baby, whilst ‘Ugly Day’ pulls out a bass slap and a thrashing sound that reminds me of early Stone Temple Pilots. I drop these references in only to help ground where FOOTBALLHEAD sits in the rock genre. They are happy to create a beautifully downcast and swirlingly understated mid-tempo ballad with ‘Pilot’. They are happy to thrash it out with big chords and noodling jangles like Green Day with ‘Etched You In’. It is like a pick-n-mix of radio rock, and I mean that in a tastefully positive way.

By the time the final trio of tracks land, I feel like I’ve moved around a decade of alternative rock in half an hour. The jangly sass of ‘So I Stay (Petty)’ feels and sounds oddly familiar as phased vocals pan around the big chords. ‘My Plan’ brings the punk rock that the millennium chauffeured in, cramming American teenage angst into 95 seconds of memorable riffs and four-chord bars. The title track that rounds up the album is the sole track that is given room to breathe. The longer intro and scorching outro let Ryan declare that his brain has been working overtime for years and this moment of musical clarity stands out as a key moment of acceptance.

‘Overthinking Everything’ is a tour of 90s rock in the best possible way. If I were to be very critical and picky, I could argue that by diving between subgenres it’s difficult to understand what unique traits FOOTBALLHEAD bring to the table. I’d like to see their personality shine brighter in their sophomore album. What’s here doesn’t feel like an imitation – rather a homage and appreciation of the era when alt-rock ruled the world. Can we go back again?

Recommended track: Tightrope

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