At one point, it felt like The All-American Rejects would become a relic of the past, destined to be remembered for a smattering of mega hits from the 2000s. Yet, the 2020s have seen the quartet of Tyson Ritter [vocals, bass], Nick Wheeler [guitar], Mike Kennerty [guitar], and Chris Gaylor [drums] piece themselves back together. A headline tour followed by a series of DIY backyard shows, firmly planting the quartet in their roots. Having rekindled their camaraderie, a creative spark led to the making of their fifth album, ‘Sandbox’.
Recorded independently over 18 months, it finds The Rejects in a comfortable mood. After all, they’ve never been a band pinned down by a certain genre or scene. Its 11 tracks show flashes of pop-rock, folk, heartland rock, and power-pop, delivered with an assured energy and lyrical perspective. Throughout, there is a ragged edge to ‘Sandbox’s presentation. Whether that be on ‘Get This’s groove and Ritter’s disorientating verses, or the title track’s lyrical contrast of child-like innocence and destruction (“bombs are bursting”). The album’s opening track, ‘Easy Come, Easy Go,’ is underpinned by raw frustration, aided by fizzy guitars.
However, Ritter and Co still have the chops to deliver memorable lines. The restrained indie rock of ‘Search Party’ contains the quirky quip of “I brought the clown to your search party, (And he’s) and he’s even got balloons”. Likewise, ‘King Kong’s sturdy rhythm is elevated by the hook of “You’ll always be around, to let me down”. Here, Tyson reflects on leaving LA and returning home to Oklahoma, removing himself from the industry machine.
‘Sandbox’s narrative pushes and pulls between self-reflection and ambition and purpose (see ‘Lemonade’). The emotional centrepiece of ‘For Mama,’ is a stripped-back, raw number. Delicately delivered, it demonstrates reassurance and grief that achingly pulls you in. While occasional dark turns, such as ”Eggshell Tap Dancer,’ are dressed up in playful language with a demanding groove, despite being a portrait of obsession.
It’s safe to say this isn’t a grandiose comeback or the sound of a band riding the nostalgia wave for a quick buck. ‘Sandbox’ is an admirable record, offering a handful of cuts with longevity. Nevertheless, for The All-American Rejects, it serves their purpose. It finds them in a mature state, reconnected, and working on their own terms. This version of AAR feels reinvigorated, offering subtle depth to their sound and songwriting.
‘Sandbox’ by The All-American Rejects is released on May 15th.
Find The All-American Rejects on: Facebook | X (Formerly Twitter) | Instagram | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music | Linktr.ee | Website
