Taking Back Sunday Drop 'S’Old' And Unveil New Album, 152
It’s been quite some time since we’ve heard a new full length album from our Cute (Without The ‘E’) friends over in Long Island, Taking Back Sunday. Several years have passed since 2016’s Tidal Wave LP graced our shores in a glass bottle, which outlined the ex-emo band's innovation to evolve their craft with a maturing nuance. While looking forward to their future sound, they still celebrate their past like it was yesterday.
Twenty (2019) comprised of their complete seven album collection along with 2 unreleased tracks, brought everyone back hand in hand singing songs from Tell All your Friends (2002) to my personal favourite Louder Now (2006). Following very shortly after but 3 years on, we come to Tell All Your Friends (20 Year Anniversary Edition) with the addition of 4 previously unheard demos, reviving youthful mosh pit memories brought back in the open to be rediscovered by the current generation.
Still searching for that song to give you a reason to drag yourself out of bed? Well, we’ve found ‘The One’. As the band and the members, age they truly show as the years pass that growing older only aids their ability as musicians. Following a similar sounding path on their musical journey with very comparable elements to Thirty Seconds To Mars &The All-American Rejects, not just instrumentally with their synth/electronic and distinguishable lightly distorted, reverb guitar-driven back bone, but also in vocals. From high-pitched, scratchy emo singalongs, Adam Lazzara has flourished his voice with a refined strain, alongside a warm grit attached to his lower register.
Diving further into their ambitions of newfound purpose Taking Back Sunday drop single ‘S’old’ and announce new album titled 152 – available October 27 via Fantasy Records.
“You would think after 20 years, we knew what each other is going to do. But there were so many times making this record where I heard the initial idea and thought I knew where it would go, but then I was super surprised. It’s those kinds of surprises that make it so exciting. That’s why we all still want it so badly.” – Says Adam Lazzara.
Even with the strong addition of elegant synths and string arrangements coming on the new album, just like the band's own members, you won’t even expect what you’re about to hear. Warming you into ‘S’old’, Taking Back Sunday deliver an ecstasy-activating keyboard rhythm and soft vocals before ramping it up with a snare roll into a chill intro transition. Mark O’Connell goes seamlessly ham on the hi-hat and snare majority of the time (party on brother), whereas John Nolan pairs easy-breezy feel chords and rhythmic, reverb/delay picking leads to accompany. Lazzara digs deeper on the lyrics depicting the struggles of adult life, responsibility and pressure we face in our everyday live. Regardless of the sad focus in the lyrics, the vocals hold-up in their own way bringing a more anthem/motivational feel to their deliverance.
With a string of new elements and a raw emotional reflection attached 152, the eighth studio album has one clear objective to make their audience feel something, it doesn’t matter what, as long as the emotion is triggered, their goal is accomplished. Just over a month away until 152’s release, Taking Back Sunday have left a big hole in our hearts for more until then. Be sure to give them some love at Good Things Festival, it’s a long flight.
Words by Ed Atlas @YourFavouriteMerchGuy
Pre-order 152 here
Taking Back Sunday - 152 tracklisting
1. Amphetamine Smiles
2. S'old
3. The One
4. Keep Going
5. I Am the Only One Who Knows You
6. Quit Trying
7. Lightbringer
8. New Music Friday
9. Juice 2 Me
10. The Stranger
