Action/Adventure remind us that Chicago has the best pop punk with “Ever After”
If you’re a fan of pop punk and you’re not familiar with Action/Adventure, now is the time. With the release of their second full-length, Ever After, this Chicago native band has quickly reminded me how much fun pop punk is. I have been a fan of the band since their 2021 release, Pulling Focus, and this new release has captured my heart all over again.
via instagram
This album starts off full force, with the opening track "DAYTERROR”. The heavy riffs pack a huge punch with with the opening line - “is this where I’m meant to be? I’m screaming in a dream, I dont know what it means, nothing’s making sense” and while my first listen was in my car, my steering wheel took a beating where I’d launch myself into a pit at a live show. “Distaster/Pace” follows, with every catchy aspect a person could want in a song. Would I call it worthy of headbanging or dancing to? Both, definitely both. “Floortime” hit home immediately, with a strong theme of missing the past, and missing important moments throughout a lifetime.
“Someting Isn’t Right Here” was an immediate favorite for me. This is one of a few tracks with features - this one being Dan Lambton (rationale., Real Friends). Dan’s feature paired with the keys giving Motion City Soundtrack vibes, along with having one of my favorite lyrics from the album, “bury me in this bed and call it Death by Dreaming” got a few replays before continuing the album. “That Time I Got Reincarnated As A Slime (AMV)” calls for 2 stepping immediately. And that breakdown? Just throw me in the pit and let me die happy.
“Big Al Dente” is by far my personal favorite on the album. “I’ll catch you if you’re falling out of line, ‘cause I’m not far behind, lose your mind, you might just feel alive” is such a simple, catchy, and meaningful chorus. This entire song screams pop punk in the best way, and the surprise breakdown at the end of the song pulls everything together perfectly. I have had this song on repeat for hours and don’t plan on stopping.
“Spiral” and “Seconds/Centuries” take us to the second half of the album, but the catchiness and head-bobbing riffs don’t slow down. “Real Juicer Hours” opens with a call out fueled by very relatable emotions - “I heard you had another breakdown, who cares?” The band’s dual vocalists make this one even more fun to try to sing along to alone without missing a line.
“Background” which features Ben Jorgensen, is full of fun synths and had me dancing in my car seat, then “Go Directly To Jail. Do Not Pass Go. Do Not Collect $200” brought out more hardcore influenced riffs and another fun feature of Noahfinnce. “URL” is the song every heart-broken person can relate to. The chorus “unrequited love, tell me what you’re dreaming of, while you’re drowning in your coffee cup, do you really wanna wake up?” will get stuck in your head. Ask me how I know.
“Daydream” is the closing track on the album and if you guessed I’d say it’s catchy, you’re right. I’ve used that word more times than I wanted, but this entire album is just so. dang. catchy. The synths, the hardcore influence, the relatable lyrics, all of it encompasses exactly what I want in a pop punk album.
If you feel the same as I do, you’ll be excited to find out that Action/Adventure just started their first headlining tour, and you should definitely go to a show if you get the chance. I’ve loved watching this band continue to grow over the years and with Ever After, I already know they have a great future ahead of them.
via instagram