The tenth studio album by pop punk mainstays New Found Glory titled Forever and Ever x Infinity — one of my most anticipated albums of the year — dropped this past Friday. As a fan of theirs since 2000, I have seen them in concert a record 13 times. Something special about this band has helped them stay in the thick of the scene, even if some have claimed they haven’t changed up their style much. (Sidebar, people complain when bands change their style but also when they don’t. Whassup wit’ dat)? Back on track, this album, like everything NFG have done, kicks ass, stays true to the band’s message and is a lot of fun from beginning to end.
The first single, “Greatest of All Time” slaps (as the kids say). This track, shortened to “GOAT” for this review, is classic NFG, blasting the listener with quick beats and splitting guitars, focusing on lyrics that compare a relationship to that of Michael Jordan and the ’96 Bulls, the second greatest basketball team of all time (after the ’01 Lakers, of course). “Himalaya”, the second single, along with the opening track “Shook by Your Shaved Head” rely heavily on NFG’s hardcore roots, incorporating heavy guitar riffs, pumping bass and some killer double bass petals, perfect for moshing and throwing yourself around the room to.
NFG throws in some of their famous cheekiness, with tracks like “Same Side Sitters” commenting on nauseating couples participating in public displays of affection, while also saying that there’s nothing really wrong with that. What is now in the running for my favorite song title ever, “Scarier Than Jason Voorhees at a Campfire” equates falling in love again after heartbreak to how people feel about watching horror movies for the first time; scared, uneasy but unable to help yourself. “Double Chin for the Win”, “Trophy” and “Birthday Song but Not Really” are some of the more similar songs on the album, with lyircs pertaining to finding the right girl, even with flaws the angst ridden “characters” in the songs have.
The final track, “Slipping Away” is a difficult one to wrap your mind around. I haven’t received my physical copy of this album yet (red, white and black Bulls inspired vinyl), so I don’t know which member of the band wrote which lyrics, but I have a hard time not thinking this song is about Hayley Williams. Guitarist Chad Gilbert separated from Williams recently (oddly enough, she also released a fantastic “tell-all” album recently), and the lyrics seem to puncture the soul on feelings of loss, regret and misunderstanding. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but it’s a mature and heartfelt song from a band who rarely hits those notes.
Jordan Pundik (who I have always called the Milhouse of pop punk) still has it, nasally (not a bad thing) hitting every note to perfection and filling you with so much angst and poppiness, you can’t help but get up and dance. Gilbert’s guitars are firing on all cylinders, crafting new and exciting sounds, while bassist Ian Grushka eagerly and expertly keep the pace. However, it is drummer Cyrus Bolooki who somehow brings something new to the table, changing up the pace, sound and beat of each and every song in a genre not known for anything but simplistic drumming. This band has been around for 23 years and they are as tight as ever.
Forever and Ever x Infinity is a fun album, once again showcasing just how good this band is. Sure, a few songs are a bit “samesie” and repetitive, but you’ll have a good time listening to it regardless. New Found Glory are hands down one of the most consistent bands in the entire genre and they prove that every time they come out to play.
