After recently signing to Fueled By Ramen, alternative punk band All Time Low has released another full length album, The Last Young Renegade. This begged the question, is the band going to venture into a more mainstream sound?
Yes, this album brings forth a new sound for the band. The previous full length, Future Hearts retained most of the punk sound the band has always circled around while introducing some, more mainstream “stadium rock” elements. However, The Last Young Renegade brings forth a very different sound.
The first single released, “Dirty Laundry” contained much more electronic/pop elements to it, surprising some fans. “Last Young Renegade” was also released as a single, with a sound similar to The 1975, but far less electronic than the debut single from the album. The album mostly carries this melodic pop with electronic elements which new for All Time Low. The band did not completely abandon their original sound, but incorporated the new elements with the stadium rock sound that Future Hearts brought (seen in “Dark Side Of Your Room”).
A common theme in this album is the concept of reminiscing on friends and good times while still looking towards the future. This is seen in “Nice2KnoU” and especially in “Good Times” which even uses phrases from older songs, referencing the idea that despite the new sound, the band still holds their past important.
When releasing the album, lead vocalsit Alex Gaskarth explains to fans that this album is one very personal to him and the band. A lot of the songs on the album were written years ago but are now finally being showcased. Alex Gaskarth hits those personal chords us with his vocals in the emotional ballad “Nightmares”. This song is where you begin to see the anxiety and fears of Gaskarth connecting with the listener
While Tegan and Sara join the band with guest vocals on “Ground Control” which has more of a upbeat electronic indie sound, comparable to Misterwives. A sound that is carried over into the closing song “Afterglow”.
Overall, yes the album has a new sound to it. As a die hard All Time Low fan, I was a little hesitant at first. However, one cannot ask an All Time Low fan to compare their albums, because each one has brought forth a slightly different sound. But at the core, it is still All Time Low’s anthems of living in the moment, falling for the girl, and facing the future headstrong. The album showcases the band’s talents and is a point in their career that shows an exploration of new sounds without abandoning their roots. The band will be embarking on the Young Renegades Tour this summer across North America to celebrate the release of the album.
Dates:
JUN 30 HOUSE OF BLUES HOUSTON, TX
JUL 01 HOUSE OF BLUES DALLAS, TX
JUL 03 THE MARQUEE TEMPE, AZ
JUL 05 HOUSE OF BLUES ANAHEIM, CA
JUL 07 THE NOVO LOS ANGELES, CA
JUL 08 FOX THEATER OAKLAND, CA
JUL 10 ROSELAND THEATER PORTLAND, OR
JUL 11 SHOWBOX SODO SEATTLE, WA
JUL 13 THE COMPLEX SALT LAKE CITY, UT
JUL 14 FILLMORE AUDITORIUM DENVER, CO
JUL 15 UPTOWN THEATER KANSAS CITY, MO
JUL 16 PALACE THEATRE SAINT PAUL, MN
JUL 18 THE PAGEANT SAINT LOUIS, MO
JUL 20 ROYAL OAK MUSIC THEATRE ROYAL OAK, MI
JUL 21 ARAGON BALLROOM CHICAGO, IL
JUL 22 EAGLES BALLROOM MILWAUKEE, WI
JUL 23 EXPRESS LIVE! OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATRE COLUMBUS, OH
JUL 25 STAGE AE – OUTDOORS PITTSBURGH, PA
JUL 26 RAPIDS THEATRE NIAGARA FALLS, NY
JUL 28 HOUSE OF BLUES BOSTON, MA
JUL 29 THE FILLMORE PHILADELPHIA, PA
JUL 31 CENTRAL PARK SUMMERSTAGE NEW YORK, NY
AUG 02 RAMS HEAD LIVE BALTIMORE, MD
AUG 03 RAMS HEAD LIVE BALTIMORE, MD
AUG 04 THE RITZ RALEIGH, NC
AUG 05 TABERNACLE ATLANTA, GA
AUG 06 HOUSE OF BLUES LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL
