7SECONDS – Leave a Light On

30 Years and Still Going Right

7SECONDS, since their formation in 1980, has made a name as one of the most influential hardcore bands of all time. Since being signed to Rise Records last year, Kevin Seconds and crew have put out Leave A Light On, their first record since 2005’s Take It Back, Take It On, Take it Over!. While there is no question that this album came from the punk legends who brought us the classic The Crew 30 years ago, they have adapted their sound to match today’s pop punk trend.

Punk fans shouldn’t fret, though; 7SECONDS has not entirely abandoned their heavier attitude. Songs like “I Have Faith In You” reflect their earlier sound, reminding listeners that their posi-punk may have a bit more pop but they’re still the band we grew up with. Always able to find humor in their music, a highlight on the album is “30 Years (And Still Going Wrong)” where Kevin Seconds acknowledges that they are just another in a trend of classic hardcore and punk bands reuniting (or at least reappearing) and releasing music. In light of so many bands coming back on the scene and taking themselves far too seriously, tracks like that make Leave A Light On stick out from its peers.

While Leave A Light On may be a deviation from the more hardcore influenced music of their past, and could likely be a bit of a disappointment to their older fans, 7SECONDS has tapped in to their pop side, which should draw new, younger and different fans. A lot of the older bands that are putting out new material are stuck in their past, unwilling to keep up with the musical climate of the times, but 7SECONDS has shown everyone just how it’s done.