“Million Dollars to Kill Me,” the fifth album of the Torrance indie-rock band, Joyce Manor, was released on September 21, 2018 through Epitaph Records. ”

“Million Dollars to Kill Me” is one of the band’s most divisive albums, as a lot of fans have varying opinions of the album. “Million Dollars to Kill Me” is a more softer Joyce Manor album, Joyce Manor favoring slower, more acoustic songs throughout the track-list. This album has a more warm and mature tone to it than their previous albums. Whether it be the use of xylophones on “I’m Not the One,” or the soft, fuzzy guitar tone, this album overall has a more produced sound to it, which in no way impacts the greatness of Barry Johnson’s songwriting. The title track, “Million Dollars to Kill Me,” is one of the best tracks on the album, the melody of the rhythm guitar always, without fail, invoking a great deal of emotion in me.

Sound-wise, listening to this album is like watching somebody important to you grow up and mature. Joyce Manor proved once again with this album that they will never go out of style, and will always maintain both their excellent songwriting and lyric-writing. Although “Million Dollars to Kill Me” doesn’t have any continuity in the songs, the listener can get the overarching theme of maturing; becoming accustomed to the world and its whims.

Overall, “Million Dollars to Kill Me,” in my opinion, was an extremely solid addition to Joyce Manor’s discography, their growth being palpable in the sound and production of the album. I give this album a 5/5.