By Madison Dymond ’16

American pop-punk band Fall Out Boy released their sixth studio album, “American Beauty/American Psycho,” on January 20. After the immense success of their previous album, “Save Rock and Roll,” “AB/AP” was highly anticipated by fans, and it does not disappoint.

Prior to the new album’s release, the band released the third song from their album titled “Centuries” in September, which reached Platinum 20 lead single. The band also released the first five songs from “AP/AB” on January 16 which, as well as being an extremely pleasant surprise to fans, only increased anticipation of the album.

Lead singer Patrick Stump has an extremely impressive vocal range that is showcased on the album with songs such as energetic opener, “Irresistible,” and “Novocaine.” Stump’s voice, while being unique, is undeniably strong and full.

Fall Out Boy is one of those bands with songs that almost everyone will know all of the words to after just a few listens. This is because of their catchy choruses and energetic beats. Each song the band releases manages to have a sound that is exclusively “Fall Out Boy” without being predictable or repetitive. The band is constantly changing their sound to appeal to today’s audience and world problems, but they still somehow manage to stay true to their original sound. “You have to stay relevant by making music that’s relevant to people…You have to find this zen place when you find something that sounds like you, but also new,” said Stump in a 2013 Rolling Stone article.

In 2009, the band went on a long hiatus after the release of their fourth album, “Folie À Deux.” Fall Out Boy never broke up, but because of various problems, including personal issues for lyricist, bassist and backing vocalist Pete Wentz, Stump decided that the band needed a break before they completely fell apart. The hiatus lasted for years, and each member—Stump, Wentz, drummer Andy Hurley and guitarist Joe Trohman—experimented with solo careers, but each member failed and spiraled into dark places. The band eventually reunited and released “Save Rock and Roll” in 2013.

One would never guess that the band has been through some very hard times from listening to “AB/AP,” but the songs on this album, along with all Fall Out Boy albums, have deeper underlying themes than they appear. This album is making statements on current American legacies, and the extent to which fame is fleeting. What little fame there is usually comes from something negative. This theme are best represented in “Centuries,” with lyrics such as “And I can’t stop ‘til the whole world knows my name” and the chorus, “Some legends are told/ Some turn to dust or to gold/ But you will remember me/ Remember me for centuries/ And just one mistake/ Is all it will take/ We’ll go down in history/ Remember me for centuries.”

Somehow, after years of writing and performing, the band manages to come up with new ideas. “AB/AP” is an album that one could listen to over and over again and never tire of because of the electric dance rhythms and meaningful lyrics that Fall Out Boy never fails to provide.