'Do You Wonder About Me?' Review: Diet Cig return with a self-assured take on their catchy, uplifting pop-rock
May 1 marks the release of Diet Cig's highly-anticipated second studio album, 'Do You Wonder About Me?' It's been almost three years since guitarist/vocalist Alex Luciano and drummer Noah Bowman first dropped their energetic 2017 debut record, 'Swear I’m Good At This', which received praise from all quarters for its catchy, outspoken pop-punk and coming-of-age themes drizzled with a healthy dose of feminism.
That same year, Luciano and Bowman moved to Richmond, Virginia in the summer of 2017 to “hide out and make music,” and it was there that they fleshed out the blueprint for their next album, 'Do You Wonder About Me?', Diet Cig’s ode to freedom and growing up. The hardworking pair also took time off their busy touring schedule to spend most of 2019 working on their sophomore full length, roping in producer Chris Daly to help finish up the tracks. This new record marks a more carefree, self-assured Diet Cig, considering they no longer have to prove themselves to anyone. This is evident not only in Luciano’s intimate and bitingly candid lyrics, but also in the duo’s new sonic direction, which is both sparkling fresh and remarkably mature.
The opening track, 'Thriving' is the perfect catalyst for this brand of new-found independence, as we are catapulted straight into some cathartic, driving pop punk. Luciano coos, "Do you wonder about me? / Do you think I've been losing sleep over what you did to me? / Did you think you could bring me down? / I promise you I will be sticking around / I just wanted you to know that I'm thriving, thanks for asking." The duo revealed that they "wanted the song to bounce back and forth between a lavish personal anthem and the anguish of feeling forever beholden to others' opinions.”
'Who Are You?' is a typically energetic Diet Cig track about losing trust in someone special, preempted by handclaps, and rounded off by a big singalong chorus. "Who are you to say 'Im sorry' when we both know you'll do it all over again," sings Luciano, practically rolling her eyes as she ramps up the intensity on this track.
The lead single 'Night Terrors' takes the pace down a notch while increasing the sincerity factor, a deft professional touch. The song talks about reckoning with all the nightmarish past versions of yourself, and still accepting yourself for who you are now, embarrassing warts and all. It's dainty and sweet, heartfelt and intense, with its all-encompassing themes of self-realization and self-affirmation forming the beating heart of this album's new headspace. This theme is further enhanced by a lovely electronica-drenched reprise of 'Night Terrors' at the end of the record.
There's plenty of variety on this album — there are short, dreamy vignettes, like the wistful 'Priority Mail' and the romantic 'Makeout Interlude', alongside ferocious punk rock riff monsters like 'Flash Flood', which is rounded off by some deeply satisfying guitar feedback.
One of the album standouts is the explosive 'Broken Body', a powerful, pummeling (both in terms of music and content) meditation on self-loathing — "If my body is broken does that mean that I'm broken too?" The introspective chorus goes, “I’m still all the people I’ve ever been.” As Luciano explains, "No matter how hard you try to curate yourself, they’re always gonna come out. There’s no hiding."
'Worth The Wait' adds an extra dimension to the album with some lovely synth atmospherics and voice samples, as Luciano sings about emerging out of her fragile shell thanks to someone who makes it all worthwhile. "I never thought I could be the one who was so carefree / But when I'm with you, I can take on anyone or anybody."
The album closer, 'Staring Into The Sun' is a lovely send-off, full of rich, anthemic melodies and soaring, sustained vocals. "I'm tired of staring into the sun / My eyes hurt and I'm done with looking at everyone / Call me up and I'll come over / I promise that I'll be sober / You are the one that I will come home to / I never thought that we would ever get this far," admits a surprised Luciano.
Exploring their fresh sound and maturity has certainly led Diet Cig to a profound yet dynamic creative freedom. As Luciano says: “You're laughing! You're crying! You're dancing! You're feeling emotional! We wanna bring it all.” This album certainly brings a lot to the table, and our gleeful ears and grateful minds are all the better off for it.