Pop Punk powerhouses All Time Low are back at it with their long-awaited album Wake Up Sunshine, ringing in a new era for the group. This album has been a long time coming. After their Last Young Renegade era, the group took time to do their own things and discover other interests. This break led to some new great music with the creation of Alex Gaskarth’s side project, Simple Creatures, with pop-punk legend Mark Hoppus and Jack Barakat forming WhoHurtYou. Three years after the release of their last album Last Young Renegade, they are now back at it with their ninth studio album Wake Up Sunshine via Fueled By Ramen.
On their previous two releases, Last Young Renegade and Future Hearts, the group took a really different direction, experimenting more with a different sound. On Wake Up Sunshine, the group really throws it back to a sound more reminiscent of Nothing Personal and So Wrong It’s Right while also showing a newfound maturity.
Track 1: “Some Kind of Disaster“
The album opens with the first single for the album, “Some Kind Of Disaster.” I really enjoyed this track, with incredible vocals and honest lyrics right out of the gate; this is the perfect track to open the record and mark a new era for the group.
Track 2: “Sleeping In“
Following, we come to the song “Sleeping In.” This song was my favorite out of all the singles released ahead of the album. The fun, upbeat tempo is easy to move to and enjoyable to listen to. The classic ATL style pop-punk riffs take me back to the So Wrong It’s Right and Nothing Personal days, which I really loved.
Track 3: “Getaway Green“
I loved “Getaway Green” not only for the music, but the whole marketing leading up to this song was hilarious and engaging. The use of The Sunshine Hotline and Instagram live streams featuring the panda kidnapping and holding Rian ransom almost until the song was released really brought a lot of hype for this track. The track itself was the third single to be released and featured catchy lyrics and explosive punk riffs mixed with the classic pop-punk sound.
Track 4: “Melancholy Kaleidoscope“
“Melancholy Kaleidoscope” was the fourth single to be released ahead of the album release. The song is very classic All Time low to me. It has a solid pop-punk beat and even features a nod to their past. With the lyrics “Light a fire in the coldest hearts, fillin’ up the halls, that’s another lit match to burn” mirroring, “Lit a match just to heat things up, but I got more than I bargained for” from “A Party Song.”
Track 5: “Trouble Is“
“Trouble Is” was the fifth single to be released. I really enjoyed the lyrics to this song, it’s a topic that people can relate to, bringing back thoughts of an old partner that just can’t stop thinking about. With the lyrics “The trouble is, you’re a part of me,” the subject is most apparent; you know you need to let go, but it is challenging.
Track 6: “Wake Up Sunshine“
The title track “Wake Up Sunshine” was the sixth and final single to be released. This is a song that has a positive message that speaks to you. With the lyrics, “are you living well? Are you living for yourself?” this track is a reminder to check in with yourself and practice self-care.
Track 7: “Monsters (feat. blackbear)”
“Monsters” was a really different track compared to other songs on the album. Featuring rapper blackbear, it had a different vibe that seemed to fit better with their previous release Last Young Renegade. It took me a few listens to really start to vibe with it, but it has grown on me more and more.
Track 8: “Pretty Venom (Interlude)“
“Pretty Venom” (interlude) was another track on the album that had a different sound. It was more pop ballad-like. I think it was a good transition track and a good interlude, but I didn’t really feel one way or the other about it.
Track 9: “Favorite Place (feat. The Band CAMINO)”
I really enjoyed “Favorite Place.” I am a fan of The Band CAMINO, so seeing them featured on the track was cool. After a few listens, this track has quickly become one of my favorites on the album. Having The Band CAMINO featured on it gave it a different vibe, and like with blackbear, it brings All Time Low to a whole other audience they may not have otherwise reached.
Track 10: “Safe“
Next, we come to “Safe,” which without question is my favorite on the whole album. I see this track quickly becoming a crowd favorite to sing along to much like “Time Bomb.” That soaring chorus is easy to sing along to and just hits you right in the feels. Its an encouraging track that I think for many is a much need message. If you feel like you haven’t accomplished enough or aren’t far enough in life yet not to give up and keep chasing until you make your dreams a reality.
Track 11: “January Gloom (Seasons, Pt. 1)“
“January Gloom (Seasons, Pt.1)” is all about seasonal depression and the feelings that come with it. Its a track many can relate to asking for someone to come help them out of this funk. “I blame it on the weather, can you make it better now? Come on, and save me from this January Gloom.” This was a fun track for me, Gaskarth’s vocals were incredible as always and had an excellent beat to it starting off edgier and then slowing down to a more chill vibe.
Track 12: “Clumsy“
“Clumsy” is another fun track to listen to. The fast-paced, dancey beat is easy to move to. This is a track that I could see myself screaming along to with my windows down on a Friday night driving down the highway.
Track 13: “Glitter and Crimson“
Just like “Safe,” “Glitter and Crimson” is a fantastic track that I found myself playing on repeat. Everything from the upbeat instrumentation to the lyrics this song is a bop. The lyrics to this song are something that caught my attention in particular. The line “How long can we be happy if happy ain’t meant for us, ’cause being us ain’t good enough” hit me right in the feels and made me think.
Gaskarth’s strong vocals never fail to evoke feelings of nostalgia and better times, and in this track, this is ever apparent.
Track 14: “Summer Daze (Seasons, Pt. 2)“
“Summer Daze (Seasons Pt 2)” follows along with “January Gloom (Seasons Pt 1).” It discusses the other end of the feelings, the desire for summer to be here, and for the fun times to come back again and not wanting them to go away. This song as a whole was more upbeat and had a more fun vibe to it.
Track 15: “Basement Noise“
Closing out the album, we have “Basement Noise.” I found this song to be fascinating, and I really loved it a lot. It was a reminiscent look back at their past, where they started to where they are now. They were just a bunch of kids making noise in their basement, and no one could’ve imagined how far they would go. This track was a perfect ending to the record. I don’t believe any song will replace “Dear Maria Count Me In” as the actual final song of the show. Still, I can easily see this becoming the new ending track before the encore.
Overall I am in love with this album from beginning to end. It may have taken me a few listens to really vibe with some, but there really aren’t any bad tracks on this album. With Wake Up Sunshine we really see a return to the old All Low Time sound with a new sense of growth and maturity and I am excited to see where they go next with it.
You can stream the album below.
