Sounds Like: The rousing chorus to help you stare down the self-doubt that follows you around.

Jeff Rosenstock has been a musical force for over two decades, in groups and more recently as a solo act. He’s been the founder of record labels, and composer, adding music to shows like “Craig of the Creek.”  He is also one of several new artists I discovered through James Acaster’s Musical Memoir “Perfect Sound Whatever.”  That book, which I highly recommend, introduced me to Rosenstock’s 2016 album “Worry.” I picked it up last spring and was enthralled by Rosenstock’s brand of honest, anthemic, punk rock.  Right when I was about to explore some more of his back catalogue, “Hellmode” dropped.

It knocked me out.

Having only the touchpoint of “Worry” as a comparison, everything on “Hellmode” just seemed BIGGER. The sound, the choruses, the runtime, What was the same is that heartfelt urgency that Rosentstock hangs all his songs on. The point of view that Rosenstock adopts is particularly interesting to me, in that he talks about anxiety, doubt, mistakes, but does so from a very empowered place. He deals with these things, but has turned them into musical weapons. Every song is loaded with that catharsis, and it makes you pump your fist with joy.

Which is what this album is - just a delight. In a year where I felt all the music was subdued, a release with this level of enthusiasm was well-needed shock to the system. The army of backing vocals, the “OI OI OI” Choruses, it just makes you feel alive. But more over, there is depth to the instrumentation — like the bells the float through the opener “Will U Still U,” And the sprightly piano on the chorus of “Graveyard Song.”  The music is filled with thoughtful flourishes that just elevate the whole affair.

As someone who’s spent this last year in a knockdown slugfest with anxiety, there was no music more healing than “Hellmode.” It doesn’t remove the anxiety, but it teaches you that you CAN turn it into something to singalong with. That’s a hell of a break through.

Favorite Track: I love ‘em all, but there is no denying the exuberance of “Like U Better”