All Time Low are due to release their latest album ‘Wake Up, Sunshine’ [Fueled By Ramen]. This week on the 3rd April 2020.
Wake up Sunshine’ really does bring the sunshine as ‘All Time Low’ drive the powerful pop-punk energy they are so well known for, making the album an instant mood booster.
The bands eighth album is absent from any filler tracks, driving home hit after hit. It isn’t a surprise many of the tracks have been released as the album is filled with massive choruses, bittersweet harmonies, power chords and rowdy riffs.
‘Wake Up, Sunshine’ begins with a pure nostalgia inducing track. Even from Alex’s first note in ‘Some Kind of Disaster’ it ignites a feeling of contentment – you can’t help but smile! The polished guitar and addictive beats make you want to put this song on repeat, it’s a refreshing start to a long-awaited album!
Following this is ‘Sleeping In’, a fast-paced track dedicated to the person you want to stay in bed all day with! With its snappy beat and cheeky lyrics, this is an all-round fun track. The bops just keep flowing!
‘Trouble Is’ comes bursting in with its distinctive drum beat and off-kilter time signature. With messages about not wanting to let go, it is a poignant listen but upbeat and thrilling nonetheless!
Title track ‘Wake Up, Sunshine’ is a song all about self-validation and being accepting of yourself, a theme that’s becoming even more relevant for many young people. This is a true rock track and embraces early All Time Low while simultaneously showcasing how they have progressed. With its solid riffs and dynamic verses, this is a truly empowering song!
‘Monsters’, which features Blackbear’s nimbly rapped cameo is one of the darker tracks on the album. The catchy hook and easily hummable guitar riffs are accelerated by the emotion that powers the vocals, lyrics and melody.
The introduction of ‘Blackbear’ doesn’t throw the song but adds to the texture and build of emotion, introducing a refreshing change that many more alternative punk fans will love. It’s an empowering track which you can’t help but find yourself singing along to!
Following ‘Monsters’ is ‘Pretty Venom’, an acoustic washy track which neither adds nor takes away from the album. Although the previous momentum from ‘monster’ is renounced by the track, its sweet harmonies form a soothing lullaby backed by the plucking on the acoustic guitar.
‘Favourite place’, featuring ‘The Band CAMINO’ brings back some of the lost energy into the upbeat love song. The echoed vocals, electric guitar and quick drumbeat give the track a strong layer of sound which is quickly stripped by the outro, creating a silence which leaves you craving more.
Quickly filling that silence is one of the more identifiably ‘All Time Low’ tracks on the album, ‘Clumsy’. It includes characteristics of every member, drawing influence from the bands past releases and experiences. The energy released from the bass and lead guitar creates a massive impact, especially when paired alongside the power of the drums, melody and easily recognisable vocals of Gaskarth.
‘Wake Up, Sunshine’ ends on a high with ‘Basement Noise’. This mellow, bright track leaves the listener on a high and is the perfect summer anthem. The track conjures a euphoric atmosphere with its faint distortion and glitchy bounce. It is a fulfilling end to a poignant album.
All Time Low explored every avenue of their career in this album, they embraced old sounds while also exploring new ones. The album speaks volumes about who they are not only as a band, but as people and it celebrates their insane journey so far. Three cheers for All Time Low!