The Amity Affliction's New Album "House of Cards" Review

I got a lil' early access to this bad banana and I can't say I wasn't excited. The Amity Affliction has been on my list for a while now, and the nerds over at Honest Brutality seem to constantly be hyping them up. 

Well, they aren't wrong. 

While I am always a bit weary of an album that kicks off with a suspenseful movie trailer score as the opening track (which... to my limited understanding is moreso for their upcoming tours // shows). It QUICKLY turned right back around with a kick in the teeth from 'Kickboxer' (LOL, I made a funny). 

I've been back on my bullshit with listening to full albums, and one thing I'm always appreciative of is a bit of a combo of different styles as you work your way through an album. You get a nice medley of heavier songs, melodic and lower key (sad boy mommy issue songs), and an overall good consistent energy. 

I will say it can give a bit of whiplash coming off of a song like 'Bleed' and dropping into the first two seconds of 'Break These Chains', but it works out after that initial shock. But that plays equally in favor to the album as a whole leading back into my earlier statement regarding the songs not just blending together. You're able to feel distinct shifts in tone as you navigate the 'story' of the album.

One thing I was a bit put off on was a secondary ambient track on the album- 'Beso De La Muerte'. I mean- this is more than likely something they'll use as a minor intermission or as a transitionary point in concert (and is used as such in the album) but.... why? Like genuine question- not that I'm a ambient hater because I'm bumping dark ambient like nobodies business. But future topic for discussion, I'll send a email over to their press manager and see if they're interested in giving input on it.

Blondie Says

Editor's Take

✦ Opinion

Overall? I liked the album. If you're looking for another album to add into your mix I think this would be a pretty solid recent release for you to add into your mix. Would I say it's the most unique thing I have ever listened too in my life? No.
My favorite song on the album (and I haven't baked on this, this is only after two listens soooooo subject to change) is Break These Chains. Was it close between that and House of Cards? Yea.

I just didn't want to pick the titled song- because I do that.... A Lot.

I do want to see more from them, and hope to catch them live the next time they are in my neck of the woods touring. But I crave the day I get something a little funkier doing on in their song structure. I say that now, but in reality it's taking a solid album and saying I wish I had MORE parmesan cheese on top of it. It's already good. But something funky in there could really elevate it imo.

ALSO- I have absolutely no idea what's going on with their music video for 'Bleed'. So I've linked that below for your enjoyment.

You can watch the music video for 'Bleed' here:

Want to stream the album? You can find it here:

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-amity-affliction/449513466
https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kNKUYGn6VNGsRoXmyoDPK

Broken down from the label's press release, notes // fun facts I got on this album:

House of Cards was written during a period of personal loss, lineup changes, and internal instability

The album centers on themes of emotional collapse, grief, addiction, and survival rather than resolution

The title reflects the idea that anything built without honesty will eventually fall apart

Sonically, the band leans heavier again while maintaining their melodic foundation

The overall sound is more raw, direct, and instinct-driven compared to more polished past releases

Songwriting focused on feel over structure, with less second-guessing during the creative process

Produced internally by Dan Brown and mixed by Sam Bassal

New bassist/vocalist Jonathan Reeves adds additional depth and weight to the band’s sound

“All That I Remember” explores grief and family trauma

“House of Cards” reinforces the album’s core theme of fragility and instability

“Eternal War” stands out as one of the band’s heaviest tracks, driven by a return to instinct

Frontman Joel Birch continues to write from lived experience, focusing on honesty over abstraction

Sobriety is framed as ongoing maintenance rather than a completed journey

The band intentionally stepped away from external pressures and expectations while making the album

The release continues their shift back toward heavier roots following recent records