Yellowcard- “Better Days”
The year is 2025, and Yellowcard just put outs its best album. “Better Days” is an honest effort to relive the band’s past success / sound, but at the same time there’s a sense of angst and punch that feels new for them. Travis Barker’s production on this record, as well as the recent Alkaline Trio singles, are his best work yet behind the board.
AFI-“Silver Bleeds The Black Sun…”
AFI’s most “goth” / new wave record yet feels like a sound they’ve been waiting to fully get out of its system, but only flirted with in the past until now. Hard core fans of AFI will understand the direction while songs like “Nooneunderground” is a great compromise of eras.
Novacub-“Just Not Me”
The long-awaited debut album from Louise Bartle, the multitalented songwriter and drummer from Bloc Party didn’t disappoint. Novacub is able to capture ambience and atmosphere similar to Bloc Party, and “Just Not Me” is full of indie, pop and dance tracks that rival bigger artists of similar ilk headlining festivals.
By MIKE DAMANTE
If you are a fan of pop-punk, Mike Damante’s book “Hey Suburbia: A guide to the emo/pop-punk rise” is out now, and features exclusive interviews with blink-182, New Found Glory, Alkaline Trio, Get Up Kids, Yellowcard, Good Charlotte, Descendents, and others
Travis Barker and Mike Damante in Kansas City Sept. 28,2025.