A lot has happened with THE RASMUS since I was listening to stuff like “In the Shadows,” “First Day of My Life,” or “Sail Away” in my youth. The little goths have grown up in the meantime, have even tested their luck at Eurovision, have released ten studio albums, and have toured all over the world. Now, the Finnish rockers are back with their eleventh studio album, “Weirdo,” which was released on September 12th, 2025, via Playground Music/Better Noise Music.
Clocking in at almost thirty-three minutes, the album is a short and fun affair with plenty of melody and some nice messages coated in heavy riffs. Their soft rock infused with pop sensibilities and goth vibes still hits the sweet spot (at least for me) and makes the songs that much more enjoyable. This album offers an easy listening experience, complete with high-energy, feel-good moments and sometimes this is exactly what one wants and/or needs on their playlist. What I like best about the way this album is put together is the fact that some songs are quite serious while others are not-so-serious, so there’s a neat balance between emotional investment and plain, stupid fun.
Rock music was always associated with society’s outcasts and misfits, and songs like the grungy opener, “Creatures of Chaos,” or the album title track, “Weirdo,” touch on this aspect, being anthems of individuality that resonate with many listeners, so the emotional tether is in place. It also helps that both singles have simple melodic lines that build up to easily accessible melodic hooks during the sing-along choruses. The collaboration with Niko Vilhelm Moilanen (ex-BLIND CHANNEL) was the song that caught my attention some months ago as it’s poppy, radio-friendly melody mixes well with hefty riffs and a rousing chorus, thus making “Break These Chains” a fun and energetic single despite its heavy subject matter of breaking free from a toxic relationship. Later album track “You Want It All” may have an ’80s poppy vibe to it but it still impresses with emotional vocals, minimalistic atmosphere, and a beautifullu sung chorus.
On the not-so-serious side of things, stuff like “Dead Ringer” or “Banksy” are darker tracks with a dose of punk rock to them that, in turn, gives them a more aggressive edge while pushing THE RASMUS’s sound into uncharted territory. Edgy lead single, “Rest in Pieces,” is not only the flip side of “Break These Chains” in terms of lyrics, but it’s also entertaining enough to warrant its early release date with its intense riffs, thumping bass, and well-crafted hooks. On the other hand, “Love is a Bitch” is a quirky little number with a strong funky pop vibe to it, carried by a whistled melody, sticky grooves, and melodic riffs that underpin the cheeky lyrical theme, all the while “Bad Things” is a simple but effective rock number that rides high on a hooky chorus and melodic vocal lines. Closing track, the sleek ballad “I’m Coming for You,” could have been a big hit some decades ago, but as it stands, its lush keys and poppy vocal melodies make for a nice way to wind down this album.
All-in-all, “Weirdo” may pull in many different directions, but the way it’s put together works rather nicely. The polished production, courtesy of Desmond Child, coupled with this rock-and-roll attitude, gives the album a certain edge that complements the band’s image and carefully curated sound. Add to that the flow of the music through various soundscapes and sonic textures, and you have a wild rollercoaster of pretty much everything that has made THE RASMUS a staple of the Finnish (and international) rock scene. To rehash an earlier point, “Weirdo” is equally serious and trivial, which makes it a fun and entertaining listen with a great message of authenticity at its core, and once in a while, this type of album is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Written by Andrea Crow
Tracklist
- Creatures of Chaos
- Break These Chains
- Rest in Pieces
- Dead Ringer
- Weirdo
- Banksy
- Love is a Bitch
- You Want It All
- Bad Things
- I’m Coming for You
Lineup
- Lauri Ylönen – vocals
- Emilia “Emppu” Suhonen – guitars
- Eero Heinonen – bass
- Aki Hakala – drums
Label
Playground Music / Better Noise Music
