Mayday Parade’s ‘Sad’: The Definitive Fall of Pop-Punk’s Nostalgia Machine
Hello everyone. Today we’re talking about Mayday Parade and their upcoming album Sad, the middle slice of their self-proclaimed “three-part trilogy” – because apparently, reminding people that a trilogy is three things is now necessary for marketing purposes. You’d think after two decades in the pop-punk trenches, they’d be beyond the gimmicks, but here we are, knees deep in knitted wool metaphors and Nineties nostalgia.
The Concept: Ambitious or an Excuse to Recycle?
So yes, Sad follows April’s Sweet (get it? Sweet then Sad. Next one is probably “Sour” or “Sleep Deprived”). This iteration promises a “softer, introspective” sound compared to Sweet’s “anthemic” swagger. Translation: Fewer power chords to hide behind, more brooding minor chords while staring out rainy windows. They wheeled back producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount – the trusty NPC companions who always pop up at the tavern with healing potions and the same dialogue every album cycle.
They’re also tightening the emo nostalgia screws with titles like “I Miss the 90s” (subtle, lads), and “I Must Obey The Inscrutable Exhortations Of My Soul” – a name so long it feels like an achievement unlock notification when you get to the end without running out of breath.
“Under My Sweater”: The Lead Single
The lead single, “Under My Sweater,” is apparently unafraid to brush shoulders with Weezer comparisons. Vocalist Derek Sanders smiles knowingly into the void and shrugs, saying that’s part of the charm. Sure, Derek – just remember that musical nostalgia is like prescribing placebo pills: people like them, but they’re mostly sugar. The track pairs melancholy riffs with Nineties percussion, which basically means your snare drum sounds like it was rescued from a dusty Pearl kit locked in a high school band closet since ’97.
The 20th Anniversary Tour Tie-In
Now, here’s the kicker: this album is dropping right as their 20th anniversary tour kicks off. Across several U.S. cities they’ll peddle equal parts nostalgia and merch tables so large they’d make a Comic-Con vendor blush. The tour will wander through their entire discography – so brace yourself for that one deep cut you didn’t ask for but will get, sandwiched between the three songs you actually came to hear.
The “Trilogy” Experiment
The band insists that this trilogy idea emerged naturally – like loot drops from a stubborn raid boss finally giving you a rare item. Sanders claims they wanted to “do something bigger,” which is bold considering you’re serving the same audience the same pie in three differently shaped tins. Yes, it’s an “experiment,” but so is surgery without anesthetic – and only one of these options gets actual applause at the end.
Final Diagnosis
As a physician of sonic malpractice, I’d say Sad could either be the band’s most meaningful chapter in years or just a seasonal playlist filler sandwiched between pumpkin spice commercials. There’s potential for genuine artistry in stripping things back and leaning into introspection – but the ever-present specter of fan-service nostalgia looms large. After all, the moment you advertise “I Miss the 90s,” you’re already playing the crowd like it’s Guitar Hero on Easy mode.
Will it be worth a listen? Probably. Will it blow minds and redefine pop-punk? Please. That quest was abandoned two console generations ago.
Verdict: Cautiously optimistic, but keeping the prescription for disappointment within arm’s reach.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is entirely my opinion.
Article source: Mayday Parade Is Ready for a ‘Sad’ Fall, http://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/mayday-parade-new-album-sad-announcement-1235405439/
