On April 3, 2020, All Time Low released their eighth studio album, Wake Up Sunshine. I don't think this could have come at a better time, especially given the name. This is truly a welcomed bright spot in today's world.
To recap, they released the first single, "Some Kind Of Disaster" with a music video in January of this year and slowly released a handful of other songs between then and now. "Sleeping In", "Trouble Is", "Melancholy Kaledescope," and most recently, the title track. This album had me extremely excited because I was into it from the first couple of verses of "Some Kind Of Disaster." Curiosity built very quickly for Wake Up Sunshine as the singles were released, the only one I didn't love was "Melancholy Kaledescope", and even that I have no doubt will grow on me over time. I didn't care for their last album, Last Young Renegade, which even front man Alex Gaskarth said was an offshoot from their usual sound. This feels like a slightly more mature version of the All Time Low we all have already known and loved for the past fifteen years. If you're looking for that classic All Time Low sound, I'd say you're not going to love this album. I'd say only a couple of the songs have their true sound, such as "Sleeping In." But if you're in it for stories of growth and love, with a touch of their classic style, you'll be happy. There's a lot of of lyrical depth in this one, you can really tell something very personal inspired almost every sound. Given the name of the album, I was actually pleasantly surprised with what this album presented me with. I was actually expecting a lot of light hearted fun stuff, but the title is actually semi deceiving. There's still some bright spots, such as "Favorite Place", featuring The Band Camino. That one is an absolutely adorable love song that I have no doubt will become the song many couples deem "their song." "So, can we close the space between us now? It's the distance we don't need. Yeah, you're everything I love about the things I hate in me. So come on, come on, come over now and fix me with your grace. 'Cause I'm not too far and you're my favorite place." I honestly could say something about every song on the album, there wasn't a single song I disliked really. Even the ones I didn't find myself really into, I know will grow on me. This whole album tells the story of love, depression, growing apart, and learning to deal. You can tell that there was a real story behind every single song, none of it was a work of fiction. I was trying to figure out a song to give honorable mentions to, but honestly, I'm having a hard time picking just one. "Basement Noise", though somewhat simplistic, and not something I find myself turning on randomly, really took everyone back to the early days of All Time Low. Back when they were just kids playing music in the basement. Just learning, just growing, just becoming who we all know today. I will say this is probably is my least favorite song on the album, but I appreciate the story it tells. I sat here for a good ten minutes trying to pick a favorite, and honestly, I couldn't pick one. Ask me again in a couple weeks, because right now, I don't know. I'm appreciative of the entire album, and am most familiar with the first five songs because they were already out prior to the release of the album. Hopefully this album gives someone some comfort, or a bright spot, or something. We all know these are trying times, and everyone needs a bright spot. Go check out the album, its available now wherever music is sold, Spotify and YouTube. Also, if you're feeling into it, go check out All Time Low's official website. Obviously they are unable to tour right now, but they have a ton of merch for Wake Up Sunshine, and will be hitting the road as soon as they're allowed.
1 Comment
Britton Thorn
4/3/2020 04:11:20 pm
Very well said, and very well written! Keep it up :) ..... keep writing about more bands. Can't wait to work with you on a project down the road after all this Coronaviris shitshow is over... you know what I'm referring too :)
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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
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