There’s a new Blink-182 album featuring the unmistakable drawl of Tom DeLonge and puerile humour that drips from song titles such as Edging. The year is, somehow, 2023. Following Mark Hoppus’s recovery from cancer the pop-punk titans are back in the configuration that conquered the world two decades ago — with Travis Barker still behind the kit and DeLonge’s return meaning the exit of Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba — and ‘One More Time…’ is their chance to take one more stab at things.
The LP’s starting point is Anthem Part 3, a raucous throwback to the classic double feature that closed 1999’s ‘Enema of the State’ and opened the ensuing ‘Take Off Your Pants and Jacket’. The song barrels along as it should, but it carries with it the self awareness and maturity that became apparent on 2003’s self-titled effort.
In fact, ‘One More Time…’ most closely resembles that record, marrying its sound with elements of all the members’ various side projects over the years.
Dance With Me surges and shakes, though its “Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!” chorus is a little tiring, while Terrified echoes the more morose elements Blink have often toyed with.
Equally, More Than You Know could be Stockholm Syndrome’s long lost cousin, Turn This Off! offers a short, snarling shot of punk adrenaline, and the title track itself is an emotional moment celebrating the trio’s reunion.
The front half of ‘One More Time…’ is, by and large, excellent. But at 17 songs and nearly 45 minutes, there are some real issues with the piece as a whole. The second stanza is noticeably weaker: Edging is a desperate attempt at reclaiming their younger selves’ scatalogical side that falls flat when the members are each pushing 50, while Fuck Face is short, silly and unnecessary, something that could also be said about the 80 second interlude Hurt.
Finally, Childhood is an overwrought ballad to close out an album that should’ve been a far more concise statement than it is. ‘One More Time…’ is frustrating for that reason, offering diversions that go nowhere alongside Blink’s best writing in 20 years.
Blink-182 Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Mon August 26 2024 - BELFAST SSE Arena Belfast
Tue August 27 2024 - DUBLIN 3Arena
Thu August 29 2024 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
Fri August 30 2024 - GLASGOW OVO Hydro
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