When it comes to bands that have given you countless moments of joy, it’s hard to shake off the affection. I’ve honestly lost count of how many The Rasmus concerts I’ve been to since I discovered them over 20 years ago – that band that broke borders and became the flag bearers for the misunderstood ones who didn’t feel at home with empty pop or overly noisy metal. And truthfully, with Weirdo, their latest record, they remain a little bit and a lot of the same: the voice of those varied emotions for new fans, but especially for the longtime ones who still follow them with stubborn devotion.

These Finns return with their eleventh studio album, Weirdo, released via Better Noise Music and Playground Music. Reaching eleven albums is no small feat – it speaks of consistency, dedication to their art, and the will to overcome any creative or personal obstacle in their long history.

And it’s not just “eleven albums.” It’s the story of a group of friends who have gone through breakups and rebuilds. With Weirdo, Lauri Ylönen (vocals), Emppu Suhonen (guitars), Eero Heinonen (bass), and Aki Hakala (drums) try to reinvent themselves without losing the elements that define The Rasmus. They sound more polished production-wise, but also rawer and more aggressive in their message.

The record opens with the thundering bass of Creatures of Chaos, a track that feels like an anthem for that scattered legion of chaotic lost souls. Break These Chains slows things down and, with the help of Niko Vilhelm Moilanen (ex-Blind Channel), delivers a dark melody about the kind of love you want to break free from.

Both of these opening tracks, along with Rest in Pieces, were released as singles ahead of the album. Rest in Pieces is that middle-finger dedication track – a catchy piece that makes you revel in your resentment.

And speaking of resentment, Dead Ringer grabbed my full attention. The lyrics are filled with references that only the old-school Mexican fandom will catch – which, I admit, made me smile with a twisted sense of pride. The message is bold, and I love it.

Next comes the title track, Weirdo, dark but strangely uplifting, with a rhythm that makes you want to sway your arms in the air and embrace that feeling of “hey, being weird is okay.” It sounds like a confession and a relief: “I’m just a weirdo, I’ll never be a hero.”

Banksy is bold, creative, and very punk. It’s one of the most daring tracks on the album, and the way Emppu drives it forward makes it a fun and energetic moment — the perfect lead-in to what I consider the “ugly duckling” of the record: Love Is a Bitch. This one feels shoehorned into an album that, while not fully conceptual, does seem to follow a certain direction where this track doesn’t quite fit. Still, I give it kudos for its sticky groove and provocative title – it’s the kind of song that stays in your head and that I suspect will convince me more when I hear it live.

As we approach the end, You Want It All comes as a cathartic release. It does get better as it goes on, but for me it never fully works. Even with the peaks that remind me of past albums, it feels like a Frankenstein that just makes me want to revisit those earlier works instead.

Bad Things, on the other hand, stands out for its simplicity – a safe song, but a good one. Finally, I’m Coming for You closes the record on an intimate note. It’s a song that Lauri wrote for his son, so personal that you almost feel like you’re intruding on his story. A dense lullaby filled with a thousand unspoken “I’m sorrys.”

I said I can’t shake off the affection I have for them, but that doesn’t invalidate the opinion of someone who once was a superfan and still gets excited to see them breathing fresh air through still-healing wounds.

They’re still taking risks – not just chasing a radio hit, but trying to truly connect with those of us who have been following them for years. Do I think this is their best album? Not exactly — but it’s one that shows the band is still alive, still exploring, and still has something to say. For those discovering them for the first time, it’s a great entry point. For those of us who’ve been here for over 15 years, it’s a love letter filled with hidden winks.