All Time Low hardly need an introduction. They are one of our favourite pop punk bands to come out of Baltimore, Maryland. Having recently been signed again with Hopeless Records (famous for Yellowcard, We Are The In Crowd) the guys are back with their fifth studio album, Don’t Panic.
Twice featuring Cassadee Pope, lead singer of Hey Monday, All Time Low are proving to be stronger than ever with tracks such as Backseat Serenade and So Long Soldier, which also features Anthony Raneri, frontman of Bayside. However, it is opening track The Reckless and the Brave that defines where the band stands at this current moment. It only makes sense that this is track number one with the lyrics ‘Long live the reckless and the brave / I don’t think I wanna be saved / my song has not been sung’ kicking off a powerful introduction that follows into the chorus.
All Time Low have taken influences from their past albums and have combined them into Don’t Panic. The aforementioned So Long Soldier contains a classic riff that determines the band’s status, which is clearly one of the best tracks on the album, along with Somewhere in Neverland. I’m not sure if the vocals of Alex Gaskarth in If These Sheets Were States would make you want to drive your car with the window down while singing ‘If these sheets were the states / then you were miles away … I settle for long distance / ’cause I’m lost in empty pillow talk again’, although it is quite an enjoyable and catchy song.
For Baltimore, is a great choice for a first single that highlights the form of the band and shows their sense of belonging. It is a great honour towards their hometown.
Perhaps the most confronting topic comes from the last track So Long and Thanks For All the Booze. It is about disregarding anyone in the past that has tried to lead the band astray. ‘You’ve gotta let me be me’ makes the point that they are trying to get across.
Returning to Hopeless Records was the best thing All Time Low could have ever done. The band have returned to a form that has undeniably produced a great album. Although already releasing three singles before the album was available, there are many other songs that any All Time Low fans will adore. Don’t Panic has been released perfectly in time for summer, and the band appears on next year’s massive Soundwave lineup.
Don’t Panic is out now through Hopeless Records. All Time Low will be touring for Soundwave Festival Feb 23 – March 4.
