Fake Plastic: Awake in the Night
Fake Plastic’s Awake in the Night: A Bold and Uncompromising Journey
by Jack Rush
Fake Plastic’s Awake in the Night is an album that refuses to be confined to a single style, shifting effortlessly between raw intensity and introspective balladry. The Hamburg-based indie rock trio delivers a record that is both impassioned and poetic, balancing grit with tenderness, energy with emotion.
The album opens with Pale Moon, an intriguing introduction that lays down a sly, rhythmic groove, setting the stage for the band’s signature theatrical vocal delivery—sharp, direct, and full of weight. This momentum carries into I Want In, a track propelled by a pulsing, syncopated beat that exudes urgency. There’s an unmistakable rawness here, reminiscent of Neil Young’s grittiest moments, weaving longing and grit into a powerful whole.
Waiting/Working introduces a change of pace with its beautifully nostalgic arpeggio, evoking the wistfulness of an ‘80s ballad. The song dives deep into themes of isolation, longing, and resilience, with lines like “I was a lost soul” and “I’ll do what I’m assigned to” cutting straight to the heart. The acoustic-driven sound anchors the track in warmth and melancholy, while soaring electric guitar riffs and raw, expressive vocals inject a post-punk edge.
The album’s intensity peaks with Your Gods Are False, a song that sparks both thought and emotion. Its hazy, fleeting imagery—like blurred Polaroids flickering in and out of focus—is set against a tight, driving energy, making for one of the album’s most gripping moments. Just as the mood turns reflective, Do I Feel the Right Way reignites the fire with an urgent, propulsive rhythm, drawing the listener back into Fake Plastic’s dynamic world.
As Awake in the Night progresses, The Long Night envelops listeners in a dark, almost vampiric atmosphere. Its infectious chorus lingers long after the final note, solidifying its place as a standout anthem. The album closes with The Night Owl, a track that encapsulates everything Fake Plastic does best—thoughtful lyricism, distinctive vocal stylings, and a seamless fusion of intimate ballads and high-energy rock.
With Awake in the Night, Fake Plastic cements their ability to craft music that is both thrilling and deeply affecting. The album pulses with the raw, unfiltered energy of garage punk while embracing the grandeur of stadium-sized choruses. It’s a record that speaks to the contemporary human experience—restless, searching, and undeniably alive.
We’ve added the song Pale Moon to our Rattler Choons playlist on Spotify.
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