On August 18th, the Welsh pop-punk band Neck Deep released their new album The Peace and the Panic. They had first come out with two singles, “Where Do We Go When We Go” and “Happy Judgement Day”, on May 22nd.

The album definitely has a more positive vibe to it, compared to some of the negative songs on their sophomore album Life’s Not Out to Get You such as “December” and “Serpents”. Vocalist Ben Barlow says that while they were writing this album, they went through “a period of uninterrupted happiness.” Songs on this album such as “In Bloom” and “Motion Sickness” express this happiness. However, there are the sad songs featured on the new album that Neck Deep is known for. “19 Seventy Sumthin’” and “Wish You Were Here” are about Barlow losing his father, which he also mourns about in the song “Candour” from their first album, Wishful Thinking. This album shows many emotions the band has gone through.

Various music magazines such as Rock Sound and Alternative Press have acclaimed it already in the first week.

Personally, I find it very engaging as it touches on things that I could relate to.  It’s sad as well as hopeful and really just feels like it’s there for me. It is definitely a new favorite of mine and I’m excited to see what else Neck Deep has in store.