Yellowcard: Better Days
Pop-punk band Yellowcard are rising from the ashes of slightly forgotten hopefulness from the early 00s era, bringing the spark back with their first full-length album in almost a decade. ‘Better Days’ features a strong 10-song tracklist, including collaborations with notable pop-punk names such as Avril Lavigne and Matt Skiba of ‘Alkaline Trio’.
What’s more, Blink-182’s drummer Travis Barker is a major contribution, playing drums for each song and producing the whole record. His work comes to show that all the small things count towards an epic outcome that blends together the beloved energised sound of 00s with modern and more mature elements. This combination brings relevancy in a symbiotic way and completes this comeback on a high note.
In 2017, Yellowcard announced their breakup after a final tour, leaving fans uncertain about the band's future. However, in September 2022, they reunited for a performance at Chicago's Riot Fest, marking their first show since the split. The positive reception from fans reignited the band's passion, leading to a full U.S. tour in 2023 celebrating the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album, ‘Ocean Avenue’. The tour combined with performances at major festivals such as When We Were Young and the release of their EP ‘Childhood Eyes’ in 2023 signalled a triumphant return for the band.
Building on that momentum, Yellowcard’s comeback is now solidified with the release of ‘Better Days’. The album opens with the title track and, aided by upbeat melody and a catchy chorus, introduces us to a wake-up call of a kind which suggests that bringing a better state in life is everyone’s own choice and responsibility:
“Now it’s not too late
To change everything you wanna change
I hope one day you say
You don’t wanna run from better days”
The second banger off the album is ‘Take What You Want’, a highly energised song exploring the theme of a not-so-reciprocating relationship in which the protagonist has been chasing and giving it all for so long that is now at a breaking point of wanting answers:
“So just say what you want, say what you want
Take what you want, take what you want
You know I give all I got, give all I got
You still ask for more”
Ryan Key, Yellowcard’s lead singer, claims that this track “really captures the amazing energy” of the sessions with Travis Barker producing. “The drums immediately pull you in, and the melodies are so focused and memorable”, he adds.
The next two tracks off the album, ‘Love Letters Lost’ (feat. Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio) and ‘honestly i’, keep carrying powerful emotions reflected through heavy riffs and highly energised drums. The latter was released as a single off the album alongside the title track – and rightfully so, as it makes an unquestionable and definite reference to the ‘Ocean Avenue’ era which secured Yellowcard’s place on the alternative rock map for more than 20 years.
‘You Broke Me Too’ introduces a slower-tempoed break from the upbeat tracklist in the first half of this album and is elevated by the incredible presence of Avril Lavigne. On paper, pairing Yellowcard with the pop-punk queen herself sounds like a dream — and the track delivers just that. Avril’s emotive vocals blend beautifully with Ryan Key’s, perfectly capturing the intensity of a relationship that leaves the protagonist “so tired of these years lost in love, lost in love”. The song adds depth and heart to the album, showing that Yellowcard can balance their signature high-energy sound with tender, emotionally resonant moments.
‘Better Days’ continues solidly with a mixture of mid- and high-tempo songs, including electronic style-influenced ‘City of Angels’ and a more traditionally energetic sound in ‘Skin Scraped’. Nearing the end of this album is a slower-paced touch of vulnerability in ‘Barely Alive’, skilfully expressed through an mesmerising violin accompaniment.
In an honest, love letter-type confession that brings a nostalgic and sentimental feeling to the core, ‘Big Blue Eyes’ closes this album in a simplistic, undemanding and undeniably beautiful way.
Fans are right to be as excited as that 17-year-old playing Yellowcard on repeat on their iPod in 2003-2004 – listening to this album will hit that feeling just the same. However, there is a high chance not only all 00s music lovers will appreciate this one, but also a new generation of listeners, as they are exponentially being introduced to the nostalgic power from the start of this millennium.
The only downside to ‘Better Days’ is its length of only 10 songs, as we would have loved to hear more. But given the album’s overall quality and the nearly ten-year anticipation for such a comeback, one should forgive the long wait and pray for a lot more coming from the band – and soon.
’Better Days’ is scheduled to be released on October 10, 2025, through Better Noise Music.