Emo with a modern twist

Taking Back Sunday just released their eighth studio album 152. Named after a highway in North Carolina, this record explores their roots and how they would like to continue forward as a group. 152 possesses similar qualities to that of early 2000s emo rock, but has a more refined and mature quality to it. The ringing guitar solos, intense drum breaks and lead singer Adam Lazzara’s dynamic voice makes for an engaging listening experience, especially for those who have been fans of emo rock since its inception.

The first song “Amphetamine Smiles” starts with acoustic guitar and gentle “ohs,” all while Lazzara’s voice and cymbals flow in. After the intro, the piece pivots into a triumphant rock anthem with pulsating drums. Wistful strings soar in the background during the chorus, adding to the song’s nostalgic tone. Lazzara reflects on the past as he sings “We talked until the sun came up / It meant so much / We don’t remember what.” This touching opening track closes with just acoustic guitar accompanying the lead singer’s vocals.

“S’old” is composed of spooky, dark synths and rumbling bass guitar. The drum beats lead other instruments through the instrumental’s rapid pace. Lazzara’s raspy voice is on the borderline of screaming at certain points, which is very fitting for the fast-paced nature of the track. Next up is the most popular song on the record, “The One.” From the title, listeners may guess they’re about to listen to a love song, which is later confirmed with the lyrics “I took my time, I held my tongue / Knew all along that you were the one.” The chorus mainly consists of Lazzara’s vocals, echoey drums and subtle guitar. Towards the end of the piece, the tempo slows down, which shifts the song’s focus from the excitement of love to the devotion the speaker feels for their partner.

Subdued piano and a fast tempo play a major role in the fourth track “Keep Going.” People may get the urge to headbang to the beat in an attempt to relieve frustrations as the lead vocalist sings “The problem isn’t that I’ve changed / The problem is that you’ve stayed the same.” The timbre of Lazzara’s voice is similar to Gerard Way’s, the lead singer of My Chemical Romance. The next song, “Quit Trying,” is a standout on this album with its catchy chorus and accompanying hook that’s repeated throughout the piece. It begins with a choir of vocals and smooth, wavering synth. At times, Lazzara’s vocals sound as if they are echoing from a distance. The backing vocals are higher-pitched and add even more edge to the song. There are also faded taps of the piano in the background, until the piano eventually takes center stage at the end as it plays the melody of the chorus.

“New Music Friday” combines Lazzara’s raspy voice with gentle guitar. Meant to be a more emotional song, the lyrics discuss the circumstances that may lead someone to let go of a connection. The lead vocalist sings “Do you need somebody else? / I can’t be, I can’t be somebody else,” which makes it clear that the speaker is struggling to remain authentic in one of their relationships. As for the instrumentation, there are fast rips on the drums in one of the choruses, much like a snare drum in a marching band, while the somber energy is contrasted with a danceable beat that’s featured during the bridge. The album concludes with “The Stranger.” Starting with acoustic guitar and soft synth, the track eventually shifts to rock with screamy vocals and staccato electric guitar. The piece wraps up with distorted synth that sounds like dialing a number on a phone and a voicemail from one of the band member’s fathers.

152 is a great album for fans of rock music to listen to, especially if they enjoyed the emo bands from the early 2000s. Taking Back Sunday’s latest release creates a welcoming atmosphere where people are free to experience a wide range of emotions without judgment.