Motion City Soundtrack – The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World (Album Review)

Motion City Soundtrack – The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World
Released: September 19, 2025

Lineup

Justin Pierre // Lead Vocals & Rhythm Guitar
Joshua Cain // Lead Guitar
Jesse Johnson // Synthesizer & Keyboard
Matthew Taylor // Bass & Backing Vocals
Tony Thaxton // Drums & Backing Vocals

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Elder emos, rejoice, it’s 2025 and Motion City Soundtrack have been gracious enough to gift us with a new album to soothe your daily existential crisis! 

The last time we had a new full length from these Minnesota pop rock kings was back in 2015 with Panic Stations. A farewell tour, a hiatus, a reunion and a few years of on and off touring later, the band has triumphantly returned with their seventh album The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World, and boy, it’s like the aural representation of reuniting with your old best bud from high school in your 30’s. I’m a huge fan of every entry in the MCS catalogue, so I admittedly had high hopes. Somehow, they exceeded them in every single way here.

Album opener ‘Some Wear A Dark Heart’ eases you into the album gently with some glistening guitar and the entrance of Justin Pierre’s comforting voice before the full band enters and you’re immediately reminded just how magical this damn band. The trio of ‘She Is Afraid’, ‘Particle Physics’ and ‘You Know Who The Fuck We Are’ waste no time in delivering that classic upbeat and bombastic Motion City energy we all know and love. All three tracks were chosen as singles for the album and it’s easy to understand why. ‘She Is Afraid’ was the perfect single to reintroduce the band after such a long gap between new music. ‘Particle Physics’ is so infectious that you won’t stop bobbing your head and the Patrick Stump guest vocal serves as the perfect cherry on top. ‘You Know Who The Fuck We Are’ is just a straight up anthem that’s going to go off live.

‘Melancholia’ keeps that upbeat energy before the band pull it down a bit for ‘Your Days Are Numbered’ and hit your square in the jaw with all the feels. We love a mid album ballad and this delivers the emotion in spades. Justin Pierre’s uncanny ability to deliver such deeply emotional and relatable lyrics with such catchiness and power is truly one of the things that makes Motion City the legendary band they are.

When he belts the chorus, you truly feel it in your bones.

From there, the energy leaps back up with ‘Downer’ before ‘Mi Corazon’ hits in spectacular fashion. Pummelling four to the floor from the bass and drums with powerful call and response, and one of the biggest earworm choruses of the album. I found myself returning to this one a lot over the last few weeks and there’s one particular belt in the final chorus from Pierre that absolutely rules. Great deep cut in the backend of the album. ‘Bloodline’ might be the shortest song in the MCS catalogue, but it wastes no time in smashing your ears with fuzz-ridden guitar and some hella nasty and fun vocal layers. Definitely a fun one that’s going to catch people on first listen. ‘Things Like This’ is a prime example of the vocal dexterity we know and love from Motion City. This track feels reminiscent of My Dinosaur Life in the best possible way, especially with how the synth lines sit so nicely to support the chorus. 

Now, the title track to close is quite the journey. A wonderful exploration of self-reflection from Pierre, and musically super impactful, especially with the key change in the second half of the album. 

Coming to a close with a sea of feedback that flows into a guitar/vocal outro that operates as a delightful bookend to the album opening, The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World is eleven tracks of pure enjoyment, in my opinion. It just hits on all the familiar things that make this band so special. Every member is so vital to what makes this band excellent and it’s very evident on this album. The drums from Tony Thaxton have all his signature creative flair and power. The guitars from Josh Cain and Justin are immense, wacky and delicious. Matt Taylor’s thunderous bass tone and ability to know exactly when to let loose with some wild licks. Jesse Johnson’s synth layers are quintessential to the MCS sound and they’re always the unsung magic.

I was introduced to Motion City Soundtrack in my early teens and it’s a gift to be here reviewing new music from them over twenty years later. Justin Pierre is a lyrical genius who has written songs that echo and resonate with so many anxiety riddled and hyper creative people around the world. It’s a gift to have this band back in such fine form and this album is right up there with the most celebrated chapters of their cherished discography.

Rating: 9/10
The Same Old Wasted Wonderful World is out Sept 19 via Epitpah Records. Pre-order/save here
Review by Nicholas Simonsen