Words by: Jack Humphrey

Relatable, inventive, and timely, Ian Johnson, better known as Arrested Youth’s second studio album Nonfiction truly seizes the moment, blending his adrenaline-fueled pop-punk roots and confessional lyricism with ingeniously catchy pop production courtesy of industry veteran John Feldmann [5 Seconds of Summer, All Time Low]. Every song here is a heart-on-the-sleeve diary entry, reflecting on the turbulent learning curves of growing up — Johnson finding his way as an artist, and the relationships he’s forged along the way. At its core, Nonfiction is an earnest exploration of life in modern society through the eyes of a young person with a lot to say about it. Earlier this year, Johnson remarked to Play Too Much,

“My songwriting approach was pretty straightforward. I relied on my influence in hip-hop to tell my story throughout the verses. That’s where I’d establish the setting, storyline, emotional state, etc. of the song. Then I’d change over to my rock / pop skillsets to create memorable, easy-to-sing-all-with chorus and pre-chorus melodies. I like how the genres balance each other out on the record. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I do think it gives the album it’s own sound and style.”

The album’s opener “A Message From My Heart to My Head” is perhaps most representative of this formula. Arrested Youth spends its verses reflecting on all that he’s learned as he’s grown up and faced up to his personal weaknesses. Against a minimalistic synth-bass melody and a subdued beat, AY’s contemplative lyrics take center stage as he muses over how much precious time is often wasted on worries he has no control over. With an anthemic energy perfectly suited for opening a live show, the more melodic sing-along chorus kicks the track into high gear, guaranteed to be stuck in your head for days.

“Find My Own Way,” the much anticipated collaboration with pop-punk godfather Mark Hoppus [Blink-182] more than delivers on expectations. Lyrically, this tune wrestles with that adolescent feeling of powerlessness over one’s future. Hoppus’s verse in particular is especially poignant here, as the veritable rock legend reminisces on his younger days balancing his ambitions and his fears with little more than a “skateboard, a cheap guitar, and a Nintendo 64” to his name. Fast forwarding 20 years later, he reflects on how those stringent, confused emotions that challenge younger individuals like Arrested Youth still persists as the older musician makes his way through the next phase of his life. Plenty of songs have been written about uncertainty and anxiety, but “Find My Own Way’s” brilliance is the union of two artists 20 years apart discussing their mutually shared personal conflicts. Introspective and deeply relatable to anyone still finding their way in life, this infectiously savvy tune is a huge standout on Nonfiction and a new classic in Arrested Youth’s catalogue.

Sharing some sonic DNA with twenty one pilots in its alternative/hip-hop musicality, the previously released single “98 Degrees” definitely shines with its bright melody and upbeat chorus. Unquestionably one of the most fun moments on the record, Johnson exorcises his insecurities amidst a series of clever metaphors and a true ear worm of a hook with a sort of cheeriness unknown to the first two tracks on the record. “98 Degrees” is probably as frivolously poppy as Nonfiction ever gets, but bookended by “Find My Own Way” and the stripped-back denunciation of modern culture “Paul McCartney,” it serves as a cleverly placed moment of levity, of which this record has few.

We just can’t go any farther in this review without covering what is perhaps Arrested Youth’s strongest lyrical composition on the album. From the jump, it’s apparent from the minimalistic production and bare bones instrumentation that “Paul McCartney” is a songwriter’s song — not to be crowded by any bombast or frills on the musical side. This track is also the boldest social commentary on Nonfiction, challenging popular culture’s obsession with depression and anxiety and questioning its affects on a peopled. “Anxiety is overwhelming our radio stations, depression is most artists’ only point of conversation which leads to negativity and personal frustration,”  In a day and age desperate for positivity and freedom from cynicism, “Paul McCartney” is a sort of counter-culture battle cry that few in music have been bold enough to get behind so far. To this point, Johnson remarked to Play Too Much:

“I didn’t want to buy into this sad, depressive, self-loathing attitude that so many artists are selling these days. I wanted the album to have a positive message and tone overall. I hope my listeners understand my intent when listening to the record.”

While the earlier parts of this record capture a catchier, more sing-along ready side of Arrested Youth’s musical personality, its latter tunes lean more into Ian Johnson’s nature as a poet and storyteller than his rockstar chops, truly baring his feelings and reflecting on his past. Backdropped by lo-fi hip hop production, “7th Grade,” “Ryan,” and “Family Tree” offers somber rumination on his relationships with his family and past lovers. “Unfaithful” sees Johnson assessing his relationship with God, strained by years of apathy and hubris. Much like “Paul McCartney,” tracks like “1984” and “Parallel Lines” are original and thought-provoking elucidations on culture which consistently make for some of the most fascinating lyrical elements of Nonfiction. It might be poppy, it might be kitschy on occasion, but at its best, Arrested Youth’s second record is a truly exceptional work of songwriting. Ian Johnson asserted that despite the apparent darkness that Nonfiction frequently explores, he didn’t intend for it to be a depressing listen. Though some might say that tonally, the record doesn’t always meet those ends, it’s important to acknowledge that in most every instance of self-loathing or social criticism, Johnson is almost always directing his ire towards a positive end.

Despite his frequent frustration with mankind, he keeps the fire of optimism alive from start to finish here. On the very last track “Woke Up In this Body,” Johnson wistfully reflects, “Some days it hurts to know that some things happen that I can’t control. So I hold a place in my heart for the ones that I love and keep a couple slots open for the ones to come.” Arrested Youth and Nonfiction aren’t naive, but they are sure to give listener plenty to think about while keeping their spirits up. As Arrested Youth would surely profess, these are qualities in short supply in the modern day.

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