After a false start at conquering the mainstream back in 2011 with their first major label release, an older, wiser and apparently unstoppable All Time Low are now set to complete their global domination once and for all with a little help from Fueled By Ramen, and their seventh studio album, ’Last Young Renegade’.
Over their last few recordms the Baltimore quartet have refined their pop instincts, diluting the punk side of their sound in the process and, as first single ’Dirty Laundry’ demonstrated, this album marks another distinct departure in their writing and sonic approach. Gone are all traces of the sophomore outlook. This is every bit the mature, thoughtful and interestingly crafted pop-rock record. In places, particularly the aforementioned first single, ’Life of The Party’ and the Tegan and Sara featuring ’Ground Control’, it’s spellbinding and genuinely immersive in its execution. The melodies and hooks prove addictive and memorable in equal measure, while the production and arrangements are nothing short of flawless.
’Drugs and Candy’ demonstrates the band can still seamlessly blend classic pop-punk style riffage and fills into a wider pop blueprint, building slowly to a chorus that washes deliciously over the listener, while the anthemic slow burn of ’Good Times’ is destined to fill arenas and festival main stages with its dreamy positivity.
’Nice2KnoU’ and ’Dark Side of Your Room’ provide slices of vintage ATL sure to please fans old and new, later closer ’Afterglow’ crosses into unabashed out and out pop territory to sugary sweet and dazzling results.
’Last Young Renegade’ is undeniably the record that will see All Time Low take that final step up alongside Paramore and Panic! At The Disco as rulers of the pop and rock worlds concurrently. It’s fresh, cleverly arranged and exquisitely pulled off in such a way that take the absolute best aspects of the two worlds it, and its creators, are surely now destined to conquer. All while retaining plenty of the band’s distinctive style and approach, retaining a sincere core that makes it feel like a genuine and natural progression.
5/5
‘Last Young Renegade’ by All Time Low is released on 2nd June on Fueled By Ramen.
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Words by Dane Wright (@MrDaneWright)
