Hoodwink’d is New York foursome LVL UP’s sophomore album where they wipe the lo-fi guitar grit from past songs and bring the vocals up front and center. LVL UP’s astute pop sensibilities remain their backbone as fuzz-fused riffs and arching notes create a moody atmosphere around Benton’s deadpan vocals.
It’s a record that addresses our enormous capability for self-deception. Hoodwink’d is concerned with the idea that we’re our own worst enemy, that we let emotions cloud our better judgement and hold us back from living up to our full potential. Whether it’s triggered by low self-esteem or anxiety or a perpetual fear of failure, it’s all the same — we lie to ourselves, and that’s the most dangerous thing we can do.
Between constant self-referencing and its mostly abstract lyrics, Hoodwink’d clearly offers a lot to think about. And yet, at the same time, it doesn’t require much thinking. Ultimately, that’s the genius of this album: it’s simultaneously a totally accessible pop record—full of catchy hooks and ripping solos—and a depressing series of existential crises. The combination of the two is an album that’s both a wonderful contradiction and a must-listen.
The Fat Angel Sings 