ALBUM REVIEW: Michael Cera Palin – We Could Be Brave

‘…a shame that this record seems so hellbent on keeping things safe, because when it steps beyond its comfort zone, it offers some truly beautiful ideas…’

It is a little baffling that it is only in 2025 that Michael Cera Palin have released their debut record. Formed back in 2015, the Atlanta band have certainly built themselves quite the following, with sizeable tours either side of the Atlantic.

Despite this, the band’s discography remains rather small, with two EPs released before 2020, and a single in 2021, although the band did have a brief intermission in activity in the late 2010’s. Finally, this year has seen them release their debut LP, ‘We Could Be Brave’, which makes for a decent offering of pop punk.

‘Feast or Famine’ begins with a clear midwest emo vibe, with noodling guitar passages and plaintive vocals , but morphs into something more akin to a hard rock number by the end of the track. This offers a perfect segue into the scrappy punk cut that is ‘Tardy’, with its driving nature urging you to get moving.

‘Gracious’ commences with a playful, swinging rhythm, before transforming into a more standard emo affair, whilst ‘Murder Hornet Fursona’ brings a distinctly grunge feel to certain moments of the track. ‘A Broken Face’ offers a surf rock instrumental that surges forwards relentlessly, whilst ‘Wisteria’ packs some brilliant melodies that will have you singing along by the track’s end.

The issue, however, is that despite the band’s willingness to toy with different ideas, every track seems to ultimately cower away from doing anything truly interesting. Moments of grunge, surf rock, midwest emo, and hard rock appear, but all become swallowed by a shallow pop-punk sound that passes you by with little impact.

Furthermore, many of the songs simply overstay their welcome, or do very little with the time offered to them. ‘Crypto’ becomes a total snoozefest by the climax, circling the same musical refrain over and over to the point of ad nauseam. In a similar vein, ‘Despite’ presents some interesting ideas, but simply refuses to explore them in any meaningful way. You continuously will the band to to do something truly exciting, yet all that ever seems to be delivered is some pretty decent pop-punk.

It truly is a shame that this record seems so hellbent on keeping things safe, because when it steps beyond its comfort zone, it offers some truly beautiful ideas. ‘10:38/Doe’ is a glistening, pensive number, with a dreamy instrumental snaking beneath a tense, intimate vocal performance. Then, out of nowhere, the title track serves as a glorious, cinematic, 11-minute closing statement, evolving and roiling ceaselessly is sometimes beautiful ways; a little more of this across the rest of the record could have serves it well.

For those who deeply enjoy emo and pop-punk, ‘We Could Be Brave’ is certainly worth a listen. There is little here that is performed poorly, and there are moments of beauty to be found. However, for those seeking a listen that will thrill or move them, then there are plenty of other records more worthy of your time.

If nothing else, at least the album art is pretty darn good.

RATING: 65/100 – Mostly Good

For Fans Of: Origami Angel, A Place For Owls, Dogleg, saturdays at your place

Physical copies are available to purchase here.

Follow the band on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify