"152" LP od Taking Back Sunday

Appearing in a Limited Edition on colored Vinyl (brick red).

For more than two decades, Taking Back Sunday has gathered a huge, loyal fan base whose music is characterized by the highest sincerity, longing, and connection. The influential, platinum-selling rock band, originally from Long Island, NY, brought mature song craftsmanship and pop sensibility into the rigid conformity of punk, helping to expand the boundaries of the genre while inspiring artists like The Killers, Kings of Leon, My Chemical Romance, and Paramore, among many others.

And now, Taking Back Sunday (John Nolan (lead guitar, piano, vocals), Adam Lazzara (lead vocals), Shaun Cooper (bass), and Mark O'Connell (drums)) release their eighth studio album (and Fantasy Records debut) titled '152,' their first collection of new music since 2016's 'Tidal Wave.' '152' (named after the highway exit in Charlotte, NC, which became a popular meeting spot for a group of friends) was produced by Tushar Apte (whom the band met through a collaborative project with DJ Steve Aoki) and mixed by Neal Avron (Twenty One Pilots, Bleachers, Sara Bareilles).

The long-awaited LP features 10 intensely vulnerable and captivating new tracks (all written and recorded by the group) delivered with fresh ambition and newfound purpose. Inspired by the extended hiatus and the cloud of uncertainty that has overshadowed the world (and the music industry) in recent years, '152' stands among the most reflective and emotionally pure works in Taking Back Sunday's illustrious career.

From the heavy, intricate riffs and anthemic vocals to the elegant, warm synthesizers and sparse string arrangements, the quartet has never sounded better. This wide range, from encouragement to seriousness, is evident in the powerful album opener, 'Amphetamine Smiles,' a powerful story of reunion that could just as well be about the band members themselves as anything or anyone else. Whether it's about the begrudging acceptance of maturity ('S'old'), holding onto the moment ('The One'), open betrayal ('Keep Going'), or realizing that one cannot run away from who they are ('Quit Trying'), the thread running through '152' is one of generosity, gratitude, and ultimately, hope.

Despite the significant gap between releases, a new generation of fans has discovered Taking Back Sunday, and their enduring legacy has only grown. The new album proves that the wait was worth it. '152' finds Taking Back Sunday in top form - a gripping and confident statement from an alternative rock band once again at the height of their abilities.