Release Date: September 2019
Length: 41:40 Genre: Punk, Pop, Rock
Producers: John Feldman, Tim Pagnotta, Matt Malpass, Andrew Watt, Travis Barker
No humours and expletives but not disappointing given that it contains strong songs albeit kinda departing from the 'old' Blink materials and era.
If you miss the antics of Blink 182, don't expect to find them soon, especially in their new album. Nine is different yet familiar. But while it seems that this album is a departure from Enema of the State (1999), the band's new songs are still compelling as how the band has been since their parody-laden video days.
This new album reflects the group's collaborative effort with help from their friends. But no happy and joke songs this time. Nine is more mature and the most emotionally-charged album of the band to date. There are still some fast pop-punk tunes though, like 'Generational Divide'.
“Nine is more mature and the most emotionally-charged album of the band to date.”
The album's strength lays in the catchy chorus lines or each song. Most notable of these hooks can be heard in 'Heaven' and 'Hungover You'. Blink maintains the pop-punk sensibility they institutionalised, while demonstrating relevance and originality through heavier rock anthems and millennial pop elements. 'Ransom', for instance, resembles the old Blink vibe through Travis's (drummer) rapid-fire fills fused but now fused with programmed drums and Mark's (bassist/vocalist) auto-tuned vocals. Nonetheless, they don't disappoint. Matt's (guitarist/vocalist) presence makes the band sound appealing and emotionally-laden as heard and felt in 'Black Rain' and 'No Heart to Speak Of'.
Nine is the first album I heard from the band since their Untitled (2003) album, but it elicits similar excitement as I felt with the albums that catapulted them to cult figures, now devoid of expletives, nudity and hilarity.
Check out the COVID19 quarantine-themed official video of 'Happy Days' here.
And here's a lyric video of 'Remember to Forget Me', my favourite track in the album.
*original version of this article appears in Getamungstit January 2020, Issue 01, Vol. 06, written by me.
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