AC/DC – Power Up [HDtracks Hi-Res] (2020)

This year AC/DC celebrated the 40th anniversary of Back In Black. Little did we know that the hard rock legends were poised to unleash another classic record in the bleak year of 2020. Charged up for the next decade, the band’s 17th studio album, ”Power Up”, arrives like an antidote to the malaise and a triumphant statement that rock ‘n roll knows no time and no age. AC/DC have a new set of anthems for a vastly different world.
As Angus tells it, ”Power Up” is a tribute to his brother Malcolm, just like ”Back In Black” was a tribute to Bon Scott.

The album sees the return of classic members Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, and Cliff Williams — all of whom had been out of the band by the time AC/DC’s last tour wrapped up in 2016 — alongside ever-present guitarist Angus Young. Guitarist Stevie Young rounds out the line up, replacing the late great Malcolm Young, who shares a songwriting credit on every track on ”Power Up”.
As Angus tells it, ”Power Up” is a tribute to his brother Malcolm, just like ”Back In Black” was a tribute to Bon Scott.

”Power Up” is among the best AC/DC done since ‘The Razors Edge’. It comes down to memorable songs, and this album has them in spades, starting with the lead single “Shot in the Dark”. It would have fit snuggly on Back In Black with its combination of hooks and riffage.
The rest of ”Power Up” has a similar level of quality control, making it one of the most consistent AC/DC records of their latter era.

Angus dug into the unused riffs he composed with Malcolm and pulled out gold. Tracks like “Systems Down” and “Code Red” are the riff fests that fans have come to adore — and riffs that only Angus and Malcolm could conceive.
The delightful vocal gravel of Johnson is also in full effect, guiding hook-filled tracks like “Kick You When You’re Down” and “Witch’s Spell”. The singer never veers far from his signature howl, but his ability to hold down a melody can’t be discounted, shining on Power Up‘s biggest choruses. Excellent use of backing vocals is also prevalent on many tracks, an AC/DC staple, and Rudd’s minimal (and underrated) drum bashes keep the proper pace.

While “Wild Reputation” and “No Man’s Land” don’t match the quality of the tracks before or after, it’s only a temporary lull, as album ends on a trio of great, riff-centric songs such as the aforementioned “Systems Down”.

When it comes to classic hard rock, nobody does it better. AC/DC have once again proven that they’re masters of their craft. Not that they needed to, it’s just inherent in the band to produce epic riffs and huge anthemic hooks, which ”Power Up” has in abundance.
Simply put, AC/DC went in and kicked out the proverbial jams, crafting their best album in years and igniting a spark of joy into the stark timeline that is 2020.

01. Realize
02. Rejection
03. Shot in the Dark
04. Through The Mists Of Time
05. Kick You When You’re Down
06. Witch’s Spell
07. Demon Fire
08. Wild Reputation
09. No Man’s Land
10. Systems Down
11. Money Shot
12. Code Red

Brian Johnson – Lead Vocals
Angus Young – Lead Guitar
Stevie Young – Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cliff Williams – Bass, Backing Vocals
Phil Rudd – Drums

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