Album Review - Mayday Parade - ‘WHAT IT MEANS TO FALL APART’
REVIEW BY: GEORGIA GUTTERSON
Photo credit - Jordan Knight
If pop punk was ever dead, it’s officially been resurrected. The 7th studio album from Florida five-piece Mayday Parade ‘What It Means to Fall Apart’ is wonderful proof that this band still knows how to achieve that perfect balance of pulling on your heartstrings and making you want to sing your lungs out at the same time, even after all these years (and emo fringes). For both new and long-time fans, this collection of songs is sure to impress in anticipation of their long-awaited Australian tour in 2022.
Following their three-track EP ‘Out of Here’ released in 2020, earlier this year the band released their first single off the new album ‘Kids of Summer’, also the opening track – and what a way to kick it off. Mayday Parade never fail to induce intense feelings of nostalgia, but this song may just be their most poignant yet – not to mention one of their catchiest. Painting a reminiscent picture of a time full of youth, love, sunshine and carefree days, the song embodies everything fans adore about Mayday Parade, while still remaining fresh and original amongst their impressive discography. ‘What It Means to Fall Apart’ is bursting with both hopeful and heartbreaking sentiments, with prime examples in ‘Golden Days’: “Because somewhere out there I see blue skies clear of the storm, where the road is calling and it’s everything we’ve been waiting for”, and the opening lines in ‘You Not Me’: “Behold the ghost of winter’s past, Sunday mornings never last”. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Mayday Parade album without a couple of tear-jerkers too. The stunning ballads ‘Angels Die Too’ and ‘One For the Rocks and One For the Scary’ should both be listened to with plenty of tissues at the ready. The gorgeous acoustic track ‘Think of You’ definitely gets in the feels too, but its buoyant singalong vibe kind of counteracts this, which is a relief because we don’t want to spend too much time crying.
Musically speaking, ‘What It Means to Fall Apart’ certainly doesn’t disappoint either. Every single song on the album is so individually strong and memorable, it’s almost impossible to choose a favourite. Anthem-like rock tracks ‘If My Ghosts Don’t Play, I Don’t Play’ and the outstanding second single ‘Bad at Love’ balance out the softer, more vulnerable tracks, while ‘Notice’ and ‘Sideways’ have a more familiar, laidback pop-punk feeling. Whilst mostly revolving around the central theme of loss, love and the struggle of letting go, each track offers a unique perspective and together they construct a tight and captivating narrative that truly reflects and represents the album’s title. One of the highlights of the album is the moving simplicity in ‘Heaven’, a song that is more like a late interlude, with the sole lyrics in it repeated over and over: “It feels like heaven, the way you put me through hell.” It’s a unique and very welcome surprise from the band, and with the magnificent clean guitars, airy drums and distorted effects, it feels like heaven to listen to. The album’s concluding track ‘I Can’t Do This Anymore’ is a simple yet grand summary; a perfect way to finish off what has felt like a beautiful and emotional journey.
Sixteen years strong, Mayday Parade continue to prove what a passionate, original and consistent band they are. It’s no wonder that so many fans have stuck around all this time – these guys work hard to stand out and remain a favourite amongst the alternative pop-punk scene. ‘What It Means to Fall Apart’ feels reminiscent of the band’s earlier music which will be exciting for many fans, but it also introduces some new layers to Mayday Parade that we haven’t really heard before, which is even more exciting as it shows that this band is still on an upward trajectory, and they aren’t stopping any time soon.
Mayday Parade will be touring Australia in April, 2022 celebrating the 11th anniversary of their self-titled album.
TOUR DATES
Wednesday, April 20: Metropolis, Perth 18+
Friday, April 22: The Tivoli, Brisbane - Lic/AA
Saturday. April 23: The Roundhouse, Sydney - Lic/AA
Monday, April 25: The Gov, Adelaide - Lic/AA (Public Holiday)
Friday, April 29: Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne 18+
Saturday, April 30L Croxton Bandroom, Melbourne - All Ages 2-6pm
Tickets onsale now from
destroyalllines.com
What It Means To Fall Apart track listing:
Kids Of Summer
Golden Days
Think Of You
If My Ghosts Don’t Play, I Don’t Play
Sideways
One For The Rocks And One For The Scary
Bad At Love
Notice
Heaven
Angels Die Too
You Not Me
I Can’t Do This Anymore
Available now via the below link!
https://rr.lnk.to/WIMTFApreorder
