Gogol Bordello – We Mean It, Man!: Album Review

By John Barlass on 6th March 2026 • ( Leave a comment )

Album #10 from Lower East Side Romani/folk/punk whirlwind, Gogol Bordello. We Mean It, Man! Examines the state of the world today, offers messages of hope and reprises a huge defiant statement against tyranny. Their best album yet? It could be…

CONTEMPT FOR TYRANNY

The last we heard from Lower East Side Romani/ folk/ punk powerpack Gogol Bordello, they had former New Orderer Bernard Sumner in tow. Then, they were making their thoughts very clear with regard to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The 2023 single, Solidarity, was a huge statement of commitment and Gogol’s new album, We Mean It, Man! continues the electrifying direction signposted by that song.

Gogol Bordello are, of course, fronted by Ukrainian exile, Eugene Hütz. Eugene has never hidden his contempt for those responsible for the invasion of his homeland. Furthermore, he has continually expressed his support for those who continue to resist. That contempt permeated Gogol’s 2022 album, Solidaritine, and it hasn’t diminished. But, Eugene and the gang have also got a few thoughts about the general state of the world – and they’ve a few messages of encouragement to offer. It all amounts to an excellent Gogol Bordello album. We Mean It, Man! might just very well be their best album yet…

ONE HECK OF A RIDE…

It’s the turbocharged title track that gets We Mean It, Man! off to a racing start. Straight away, listeners are left in no doubt: they’re in for one heck of a ride. Eugene spits out his lyrics, often through a wall of electronic treatment and the band go at it full pelt. Drums thunder, guitars riff, the strings are almost overwhelming. And, when the sax solo kicks in, the crazed antics of Captain Beefheart spring to mind.

The energy level is dialed back to ‘frantic’ for Life Is Possible Again, a song that reaches out in the direction of the band’s folkier roots. The lyrical message is one of optimism, despite the odds to the contrary – in Europe, in the Middle East and even in the civilized pockets of Gogol’s USA. The Eastern European feel to the music is emphasized by the recurrent guitar motif and we’re left in no doubt – Gogol Bordello are back!

The album’s press release describes the guitar riff that drives the punchy No Time For Idiots as “Strummer/ Jones-esque.” It makes a valid point. It’s all as tight as a drum and there’s an underlying energetic joy in play. The soaring chorus is truly uplifting and it gives us all the reassurance we’re continually seeking: We’ve been right all along.

IRREPRESSIBLE

A swirl of fairground organ gets the punky Hater Liquidator off the ground. A funky bassline and jetpack drums provide the propulsion and, as always, Eugene stands up to be counted. It’s fair to say that, if No Time For Idiots channels The Clash, then, perhaps, this bruiser takes its cue from Sham 69…

After such a prolonged package of cacophonous energy, the acoustic guitars that introduce Boiling Point come as something of a surprise. It’s another tune with the band’s signature Eastern European flavourings and it’s melodic – without any loss of Gogol Bordello excitement. In contrast, Ignition is a slice of pulsing electronic post-punk – and it has the power of a hurricane. The thumping drumbeat is all-consuming, synths are stabbed, and Eugene is irrepressible at the mic.

Puzzled Panther, the NYC renai-dance outfit with which Eugene sits in, alongside vocalist Victoria Espinoza, guitarist Kay Bontempo and drummer Brian Chase, are the guests for the bouncy From Boyarka To Boyaca. Chimes give way to a burst of wha-wha guitars before the punk business starts in earnest. The song gains pace and energy until it ends as a punky, pogoing, frenzy. And that energy level is retained for the widescreen Mystics, a song that would be perfect as the theme to an all-action adventure movie. Guitars jangle, strings soar, synths swoop and drums detonate – it’s THAT kind of song.

AN ANTHEMIC ENDING

The adrenaline consumption is reduced – just a touch – for the folk-tinged We Did Good With The Good We Did, but nobody seems to informed Eugene, who continues with his high-energy crusade. He’s joined by violinist Sergey Ryabstev, who fills every gap he finds with bursts of raging fiddle. And the madness continues with Crayons, a blast of uncompromising, full-bore punk. The drums are thunderous and strings, synths and the host of vocalists all follow suit.

As the song’s title suggests, the intro to State Of Shock is another full-frontal assault of sound. But, surprisingly, melody breaks through and it’s possible to identify a folky intent within the layers of sound. The galloping coda takes us in another direction, though, and leaves the listener ready and waiting for the album’s triumphal climax…

Solidarity is a song that Eugene adapted from Solidarność, the 1983 Angelic Upstarts’ anthem to Lech Walesa and his pioneering Polish Trade Union. As we’ve noted, Golol Bordello, in collaboration with Bernard Sumner, released the song as a single in 2023, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

SING IT – LOUD AND DEFIANT

Solidarity has lost none of its raison d’être in the intervening years and co-producer Nick Launay has taken the opportunity to remix the song, to close this album. Lyrics like: “We are with you in our hearts and in our minds and we’ll pray for a nation through its darkest time” mean even more today that they did when they were first written. Eugene and Nick have made sure that the message comes across loud and clear. The passion in the song’s delivery is there for all to hear; tyranny is given short-shrift in a song that deserves to be heard and needs to be sung loudly, and defiantly.

We Mean It, Man! is an excellent album. Is it Gogol Bordello’s best yet? Quite possibly.

Watch the official video to Life Is Possible Again – a track from the album – below: