Guess List: Fall Out Boy

When we talk about things that are worth the wait, we tend to not consider mania to be one of them. But in the case of M A N I A, the new album from Fall Out Boy, it is entirely true. Originally scheduled for a September 2017 release, it was pushed back until January 2018. Lead singer Patrick Stump explained the reason as "I'm never going to put a record out I genuinely don't believe is at least as strong or valid as the one that came before it and in order to do that we need a little bit more time to properly and carefully record solid performances."


It paid off. M A N I A continues to build their sound, experimenting with everything from doowop to dancehall to EDM. Like their two previous releases, Save Rock and Roll and American Beauty/American Psycho, the result is an album from what could be an alternate universe version of the band. Bassist Pete Wentz called it “a big palette cleanse.”

While the band already toured with some of the new material in 2017, they’re setting out in spring of 2018 with the completed album finally released. Here is my best guess as to what songs fans will and won’t be hearing.

Young and Menace - Fall Out Boy has already played this song live on a few dates and as the first single from the album it’ll definitely be part of the setlist on the tour. In fact, it’s probably a safe bet that this is the song that will open up their show as the song works best as a surreal sort of gateway into whatever comes next. That said, the song is a tricky prospect for live shows considering the EDM effects in the chorus. So yes, it will be played, but expect a slightly reworked version on the upcoming tour.

Fall Out Boy - Young and Menace

Champion - Another of the singles from the album and another sure bet for live shows not just on tours to support M A N I A but also going forward. The lyrics “if I can’ live through this/I can do anything” are the sort of words a Fall Out Boy audience will hang onto, and the vocals are a little more relaxed than some of the band’s other songs, so it seems like a good chance to give Patrick Stump a little break from exercising his ridiculous range.

Fall Out Boy - Champion

Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea - The first non-single song on the album features some of the best guitar work on M A N I A, though the lyrics feel all over the place in a lot of ways. We may hear it on the M A N I A tour, but don’t expect it to go into regular rotation on other tours.

HOLD ME TIGHT OR DON’T - This is another song that has been played at live shows and it has sounded great. The “na na na” parts make for catchy sing-along opportunities for the audience so it will definitely be played on the road again.

Fall Out Boy - Hold Me Tight or Don't

The Last of the Real Ones - FOB always manages to put at least one piano or keyboard heavy track on their more recent albums, and this is the best example on M A N I A. When it’s been played live previously, Patrick has opened the song on the piano, stood up and danced to the chorus, then sat at the piano for the next verse. Expect to see and hear this live. Also, find a way to go back in time and tell 2001 Patrick Stump that eventually he finds his confidence and it’s amazing.

Fall Out Boy - The Last of the Real Ones

Wilson (Expensive Mistakes) - One of several songs on the album that draws a lot of influence from reggae and dancehall, Wilson is a great mix of fun sound with depressing lyrics. The sound would be easy to replicate in a live setting, but we just don’t see this as anything other than a “we never play this, so what the hell?” sort of song.

Church - This rivals “Young and Menace” for the biggest sound on M A N I A, but both tracks come from completely different angles. “Church” features a choir singing in Latin in the background, using an older and more traditional backing in sharp contrast to Y&M’s futuristic dystopia sound. That also means we probably won’t hear “Church “played live, both because of the technical aspect for the backing vocals and because it doesn’t feel like there’s room for both this and Y&M on the same setlist.

Fall Out Boy - Church

Heaven’s Gate - A lighter song and one with very obvious influences from doo-wop and old school R&B, this is a nice little romantic interlude on the album. While it’s a great song, it feels a little too close to older tracks like “Just One Yesterday” and “What a Catch, Donnie.” Plus, it’s just screaming to be performed with live backing vocals. We might see it on SNL or a late night show, but probably not on tour.

Sunshine Riptide - By all rights, this song is going to be the summer jam of 2018. Like “Wilson” it has the reggae/dancehall influence, but “Sunshine Riptide” also includes a guest appearance from Nigerian artist Burna Boy. It is tailor made for a summer tour. But with Burna Boy’s work on the track being so obvious, it means there’s a lot of complications in performing it live. While in the past Patrick Stump has performed an artist’s guest vocals or another vocalist on the tour has helped him out, it is incredibly difficult to realistically copy a Jamaican patois. I think Patrick’s got chops but that is a little out of his league, and I can’t think of many tour guests who’d be able to help him out. Not to mention the first verse features a line played backwards. So unless Burna Boy or another dancehall artist is one of the opening acts or otherwise on the show’s ticket, this shouldn’t be played lived.

Bishops Knife Trick - Fall Out Boy slowed their sound down a lot for the backend of this album, which isn’t inherently a bad thing. The question just becomes how well that works on tour, especially in a stadium setting. “Bishops Knife Trick” is a beautiful song, but it’s where you end things. Unless this is the very last song you’re hearing before you leave a venue, it’s going to weigh everything else down mood-wise. Fall Out Boy will be leaving this one off setlists and will keep closing with “Saturday,” as is the tradition.

You are free to check the accuracy of my guesses when Fall Out Boy sets out on their US M A N I A tour in late August, with their special guest Machine Gun Kelly. General tickets go on sale January 26th, though if you ordered certain merch from FOB’s webstore you’ll get a crack at presale and V.I.P. packages this week. There’s also a special V.I.P. package for the date at Wrigley Field in Chicago, which will also feature Rise Against and an as-of-yet unnamed special guest.

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