10. This Wild Life – Heart Flip
Though I had known about this band for a while, I wasn’t even aware that they had a new release until, well, it was released. I gave it a spin and was amazed at how good it was. The first four songs are all well-done, fun pop punk songs but the last four acoustic songs steal the show.
9. Misser – Every Day I Tell Myself I’m Going to Be a Better Person
Knowing that Misser is made up from members of Transit and This Time Next Year, I knew that this was going to be a good release. Everything from the fast, catchier songs to the slow sing-alongs is fantastic.
8. I Call Fives – I Call Fives
When this release and With The Punches came out around the same time, I had difficulty struggling to pick a favorite. This album features many catchy choruses, solos, and great vocal work. I had the pleasure of seeing this band at Warped tour and was not disappointed.
7. Stick To Your Guns – Diamond
When it comes to positive or meaningful lyrics about today’s society, Stick To Your Guns are the top tier. Each one of their albums shows tons of progression as a band and Diamond is their peak. If you need a motivation to get up in the morning, this is the perfect album.
6. Forever Came Calling – Contender
I didn’t even give this album a listen until months after the initial release date. I was missing out on tons of great songs that are fun to go back to and sing along with friends. Every track on Contender keeps me engaged and gets me moving. “The Office” is one of the best songs of the year to me.
5. With The Punches – Seams & Stitches
The thing about this album is that it gets better with every listen. Each time I give it a spin, I find something new that I hadn’t heard on previous listens. From the catchy choruses to the riveting guitar riffs, this is an excellent pop punk release and debut album. Every song fits perfectly and nothing seems out of place.
4. Departures – Teenage Haze
Another album that I listened to once and then looked over. Just recently, I’ve gone back and listened to it again and in a short time span, have put 30 more plays on it. The emotion that has been poured into this record is overwhelming and the lyrics are some of the best I’ve ever heard and read. This is another album where the lyrics mean a lot to me.
3. Major League – Hard Feelings
Here is an album that I didn’t expect to get into my top ten and I didn’t have too high of hopes for. I wasn’t that impressed with their previous releases but I gave this a shot and was blown away. Each song on this album gets better than the last, and since the third track is incredible that’s saying something.
2. Handguns – Angst
From the first song, I knew this was going to be in my top five. Handguns has always been one of my favorite pop punk bands and this release doesn’t disappoint. The sappy lyrics are a guilty pleasure of mine and the fun, traditional style of pop punk that they play is something that you don’t hear often anymore.
1. Pentimento – Pentimento
This is a release that I listened to for the first time and didn’t think much of it. When I returned to it over a month later, I was shocked at how I had looked over it. The variety here is wonderful, and every song is great. The lyrics on each song fit me as a person and hit home with how I was feeling at the time. “Subtle Words” is one of the best songs of the year with the soft vocals that build up into hefty string accompaniment.
Being As An Ocean – Dear G-d
Daytrader – Twelve Years
Make Them Suffer – Neverbloom
Title Fight – Floral Green
Basement – Colourmeinkindness
