ALBUM REVIEW: Don't Panic: It's Longer Now

      All Time Low’s most recent album, Don’t Panic, debuted October 8, 2012. However, in the fall of 2013, the band extended the album, titling the reissue Don’t Panic: It’s Longer Now! Four new songs were added to album, along acoustic versions of four preexisting songs. Incorporating influences from previous albums and evolving their sound, All Time Low’s fifth album best displays the growth and versatility developed through the years and multiple record releases.
      The album starts off “The Reckless and The Brave”; a fast-paced anthem rebelling against conformity. In the song, frontman Alex Gaskarth declares, “long live the fast times”, welcoming the excitement of risk and advocating for following all dreams, regardless of how crazy they seem. It mirrors the band’s success; how they started with nothing, but made it to where they are now, never letting anyone or anything hold them back.
      The album also includes the nostalgic “Somewhere in Neverland”. The lyrics poke fun at and display the discontent with boring adult life, the desire not to grow up and lose the excitement of youth. The singer also promises to his love interest that together they will stay “forever young”, giving the song an optimistic and hopeful feel. All and all, you’ll be reminiscing on some memories and regrets after giving it a good listen.
      Other notable mentions include “For Baltimore”, which pays an upbeat tribute to the band’s hometown with catchy lyrics and an energetic beat. The song praises the town where it all started and the dream began. Although he wrote the majority of the songs featured on the album, Gaskarth received help from Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump and the two co-wrote “Outlines”, which also features vocals from Jason Vena of the band Acceptance. The song talks about letting go of fears and just living for the moment. “Love Like War”, featuring Vic Fuentes from Pierce the Veil, has a fast tempo to match the intense relationship described in the song, since the love the two people share is “like war”.
      The album as a whole provides a carefree, youthful experience. From a hometown dedication to rocky relationships, from living in the moment to refusing to grow up, All Time Low employs numerous themes that are easy to connect with. The growth in music is not the only noticeable development; the album shows insight on the feelings and situations you come across as you get older. The genre of pop punk has been known for songs and albums inspired by the experiences of growing up, and Don’t Panic: It’s Longer Now! is no exception. All Time Low has revived the fading spirit of pop punk, providing us with an album that will be nothing short of impressive to top.