On March 5, 2021, A Day To Remember, one of the heaviest pop punk bands you may ever encounter, finally were able to release their much anticipated seventh studio album, You're Welcome!
The album has been teased since the summer of 2019, with the original release date of November 2019. After some legal issues, followed by an eventual lawsuit with Victory Records, the album got pushed back. They kept this information fairly hush hush, but over the 2020 Coronavirus lockdown, fans were begging the band to just drop the album. One of them finally publicly said something along the lines of, "Can we? Yes. Legally, no." And that was the first confirmation I personally had that there was an issue, but it was extremely obvious there was some sort of issue. It had been five years since they released Bad Vibrations, and the band had never gone that long without a release. So, it is completely obvious without saying that his album has been highly anticipated. Not to mention, the band had also teased that this album resurrected some of their heavier work, and alluded to the idea that it might have included some of their heaviest work yet. We're intrigued, I'm sure you are too! Without further a due, let's get into this album, shall we? The first single, "Degenerates" was released in August 2019, and offered track that leaned a bit more toward their umbrella genre, pop punk than most of their discography does. Some mixed reviews came out, including from myself, but over time it grew on me and really became an anthem about loving your friends even with their quirks and imperfections. Its over all just a catchy, fun song. Four more singles have been released since then, with the last one being, "Everything We Need" back in January of this year. The biggest theme I noticed with this album was anger, and it was obvious that this was all directed at someone in particular. I'm left to wonder if maybe it had something to do with record labels, and their higher up's. Since the recent issues were not the first problems A Day To Remember have faced. They also were not kidding when they said this album had resurrected their heavier works, this album delivered the bass we all know and love. All while also giving us more of a pop punk vibe than I'd say they've given us since What Separates Me From You came out. I can already picture the future mosh pits with "Last To Dance (Bad Friends)" and can we just appreciate the lyrical content? "You're just a bad friend -FUCK IT." The energy off of that line is incredible, you can feel the true level of angst, and anger, and just being over all done with whoever this was about. And the closing line, "No one will carry your casket." GOD DAMN, WHO HURT YOU? I love it. Not that they've been hurt of course, but just the sheer power and energy is incredible. Me typing it out does it absolutely no justice, you have to hear it for yourself. Its extremely obvious that there were a lot of bridges burned in their personal lives, and they absolutely poured their hearts into this album. Fans will not be disappointed a bit, its got a little bit of everything A Day To Remember has ever served us, but done in new ways. I admit, I can't say every song stood out to me, I found myself kind of wanting to skip, "Viva La Mexico", for no real reason, and I don't see myself turning, "Only Money" often, but only because that one is extremely personal and emotional. Its about Jeremy McKinnon's grandma passing away, and the reflection upon that. Its a beautiful, heartfelt song, but its definitely one of those songs you primarily turn on when you're feeling a similar way and looking to have a good cry alone in your car. Picking favorites felt a little difficult for me, partly because I've been thinking lately about how I do my reviews and I know my currently favorites will probably change over time. I write my reviews as I listen to the album the first time, just to give a raw first reaction.. But over time, my opinions always change. Currently, I feel as though my favorites are, "Bloodsucker", "Last To Dance (Bad Friends)", and "High Diving." That being said though, there's not a single song on this album I disliked. Its once again a hard hitting, extremely well done album from A Day To Remember. I also just really want to appreciate some of the one liners in this album, not just the line previously mentioned from "Last to Dance." Like the one in "High Diving", "I'm on the edge and scared of heights." I felt that one on a very personal level, and I just love how that was expressed. Truly just captured feeling overwhelmed in one line. Its been well worth the wait, and congratulations to them for being able to finally release it. I'm sure that's a weight off their shoulders. Please go check it out wherever music is sold or streaming. The band posted it themselves over on YouTube, its also on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, ect. They also have brand new merch available over on their website, so be sure to check that out as well!
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InformationAll reviews have the date they were written, the album title, and the band's name, with the exception of Life Starts Now by Three Days Grace and Dear Agony by Breaking Benjamin. Those dates were guessed at, as they were written well before the website began. Archives
February 2022
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