Album review: The Linda Lindas – No Obligation

The Linda Lindas are the coolest kind of cool because they don’t even have to try. They simply just are. Through their lyrical honesty and hands-on approach, their music is both easy to digest and hard-hitting. No Obligation is a continuation of the quartet's confident and colourful brand of punk, but this time things are pushed a little further afield creatively.

The evolution since 2022’s Growing Up is palpable, with instrumentation more robust, and the net of their lyricism spanning wider and catching new inspirations and innovative ways to write about the subjects close to their hearts. As it opens with its title-track, bassist and vocalist Eloise Wong roars into metal-esque vocal screams as she takes down gender norms, with All In My Head, then cooling into swirling, woozy runs from Lucia de la Garza, as she embodies the persona of the nameless narrator in the novel My Year Of Rest And Relaxation.

There is seemingly no singular theme or take-away, existing rather as a collection of short stories that are reflective of their shared truths – what it means to be a young woman who defies stereotypes, what it feels like to be an activist in an unsettled world, and facing up to bigotry that seems ever stubborn and unwavering. From the rock en español Yo Me Estreso (with accordion contributions from ‘Weird’ Al Yankovic), to the snarling Excuse me, The Linda Lindas cement themselves as flexible creators.

No Obligation documents the result of resilience and hard work, and makes for a listen that’s enjoyable regardless of musical preference or taste. It serves up classic punk flavours with a refreshed attitude, showing how they remain a beacon of hope for young punks, and the youth in general. Simply being who you are or writing about what feels true to you is more than good enough. The Linda Lindas are sure to be around for a long time.

Verdict: 4/5

For fans of: SLØTFACE, Lambrini Girls, Big Joanie

No Obligation is released on October 11 via Epitaph