A Day To Remember - Big Ole Album Vol. 1 (Album Review)

A Day To Remember – Big Ole Album Vol. 1
‍Released: March 21, 2025

Lineup

Jeremy McKinnon // Vocals
Neil Westfall // Rhythm Guitar & Vocals
Alex Shelnutt // Drums
Kevin Skaff // Lead Guitar & Vocals

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The boys are back in town and fresh from their reintroduction to Australian audiences at KNOTFEST, we're keen to hear what A Day To Remember have been cooking since we last heard from them four years ago with You're Welcome.

Leading the charge is 'Make It Make Sense', which brings us in with a voice over saying "You want it, you fucking got it!" before we're met with down-tuned guitars creating an ominous soundscape that sets up the band's "return to heavy" of sorts. Jeremy strolls in reminding us why he's one of the slickest vocalists in the game and can adapt to any song structure and sound presented to him. It has all the hallmarks of of ADTR's history - melodic chorus, beefy breakdown and screams - all of which make the song sound bigger and bolder in a live setting, especially when belting out the chorus with fellow fans. We're underway and transition straight into 'Feedback' - another action-packed heavy hitter which takes aim at disgruntled fans and opposers who claimed the band went soft (myself included). The boys speed things up momentarily for this statement piece which leans heavily into their hard rock roots with riff-city vibes throughout and guitars tuned to the lower end of the spectrum. With a sound that harks back to their Bad Vibrations era, it's easy to see why it is fast becoming a new fan favourite - and if you get to experience it deep within the surging moshpit, you'll understand just how fast and intense things can get when everyone around you is moving and trying to keep up with the tempo. That breakdown though UFFFF! Coming into climax with an aggressively produced Jeremy saying 'If I want your feedback, I'll let you know mother fucker" just to remind you who's in charge of their destiny and musical direction. Consider that point made loud and clear lads.

Time for some new territory as we traverse into 'Bad Blood' which brings the vocals to the forefront as the band sing about a failed friendship and the emotions associated with the fallout. The up-tempo nature of this jam make it an instant fav and you'll be belting out singalong inducing lyrics like "what's that old saying / let the right ones in / Mumma tried to warn me bout times like this / I don't start shit / but I'll finish it" in no time. We know ADTR are infamous for their breakdown calls and the precisely placed "TAKE IT PERSONAL" will fill you with enough resentment to face your foes while the earth-moving drop and brutal drum and bass combo will have you throwing down into next week. Special note for Alex Shelnutt smashing away on the kit like a mad man. With 'Bad Blood' taking aim for ex-friends and associates, you'll be grabbing those closest to you to belt out 'All My Friends' together with a drinkin' anthem for the boys (and gals) that borders on US college radio rock and hard country rock territory. With a simplistic chorus repeating "it's like awww shit here we go again / another night out here with All My Friends" you will either appreciate the song for what it is, or click skip looking for something with a bit more substance. Luckily for the metal kids among us, 'To The Death' is up next and we're drawn in with a menacing synth and drum combo before Jeremy surfaces with "fight like it's TO THE DEATH" and the fucking pit will open up as you throw your neck out banging along to this beast. As the song progresses, we're met with the now-signature heavy verse meets clean chorus - a tried and tested structure that works well for the Florida four-piece and leads us directly towards another spectacular breakdown which will result in 'core simps wetting their pants. An aggressively predictable breakdown call awaits you (and its impact smacks you with a welcomed force) while the instrumentals take us to completion. I can foresee this becoming the song which replaces '2nd Sucks' in the setlist as the band progresses ahead of their earlier material and I for one hope it becomes a new staple for us moshpit enthusiasts.

Get your Vans on and your tambourines out because it's time to open up this.... set of arms with a highly emotive pop punk offering that's guaranteed to pull on the heartstrings. 'Flowers' is the feel-good appreciation song which touches on the relationships between lovers, friends and even parental figures. The premise is simple, don't wait until it's too late to tell someone you love them and to give them your flowers. You'll be hanging on every word McKinnon belts out, especially when he kicks off the song with the affirmation 'why is it so hard to pick up the phone / to tell someone you love them and you thought that they should know / no hidden agenda / there ain't nothing going wrong / you just keep thinkin' 'bout them and damn it's been too long'.

'I don't wanna wait 'til the party's over / to tell you everything you should say sober / 'cause you don't know you left the good old days / to the dust and the wind'

'Flowers' instils the emotional connection early on and grabs hold of your heart instantly as it weaves and flows between up-tempo riffs (akin to Common Courtesy era), a Patrick Stump/Fall Out Boy-esque high pitch vocal delivery at the start of the third act, rounded out with an easycore screamy section for good measure. As someone who lost one of their parents a few years back, I was holding back the tears on my second spin and have found myself drawn to its power. I honestly believe this is one of the band's best songs in well over a decade and I'll stand on that hill forever. 'Lebron' keeps the party going with what has now become the band's new all-inclusive jam at live shows. There's plenty of sing-a-long sections that'll have you wrapping your arm around your bestie as you scream it back to the band and inconspicuously hard instrumentals which will invoke even the feistiest of moshing - or steering wheel banging in your car on the way to work. 'Lebron' has now become the song that draws out the crowd surfer surfing on a crowd surfer - so you can get in idea of how well its been received during their concerts.

It's time to speed the tempo up a little for 'Die For Me' which finds Jeremy spit-fire delivering his words at a pace much faster than the previous 8 songs (making it stand out for obvious reasons) but once you realise the song was co-written by Oli Sykes of Bring Me The Horizon, you'll instantly hear his influences and understand the shift in direction the album takes when we get to this song. Whether they were trying to show what a modern, pop-metal ADTR could/would sound like, or just dipped their toes into a realm and worked with an old pal - whose band has seamlessly pioneered blending pop and metal elements for a number of years now - the final product feels a touch forced and out of place among the rest of the tracklisting. Touching on BMTH once again, if they can release songs years before they wind up on an album then why can't A Day To Remember? 'Miracle' still packs a meaty punch and has been given a little production touch up since its initial release all the way back in July 2022 - yep, that's when we first heard it kids. When listening to the album from start to finish, it fits snug alongside the new tunes and doesn't feel aged or out of place.

'Same Team' leads you in with an alluring vocal display and backing synth that gear-shifts into hard rock territory for the chorus - and if you like randomly placed breakdowns, you're gonna froth good and proper with this one. Much like the instrumental breakdown which kicks off 'Downfall Of Us All' they've placed one after the first chorus and it DOES NOT feel out of place at all, in fact, it foreshadows the second and much HEAVIER/BEEFIER one later in the song. The guitar licks are a welcomed inclusion and the group really double down on their metal influences and roots - there's also a heavy spelling singalong part which will without a doubt go off with a large crowd once we all learn the words. Stretch you neck, it'll get a workout with this one.

Time to slow things down again as we kick off 'Silence', a gloomy, guitar-centric number with gargantuan ebb and flowing basslines, thumping kicks and chuggy riffs aplenty. As Jeremy sings along with a softly spoken approach, the contrast between his performance and the menacing instrumentals provide an easy listening experience that just grips hold of you tightly without allowing your attention to sway. As the song progresses, 'Silence' gets heavier and kinda/sorta starts resembling early Metallica-meets Rammstein vibes throughout. It's heavy, moody and an addictive listening experience and with Will Putney's magic touches on it, it's easy to see why. Chances are you'll come circling straight back to this for repeat spins and hits of dopamine. 'Closer Than You Think' takes us back to the alternative rock/pop punk scene of the 90s/00s with soaring vocals taking centre stage alongside some tasty atmospheric rock riffs (think Smashing Pumpkins 'Today' and 'Cherub Rock') combined with the adolescent charm and charisma of A Day To Remember. It's full of motivational lyrics which serve to help the listener feel seen and inspired to get back on the horse following a rough time such as 'So let's go scream at the sky like no ones listening / I know it feels like the ending but somebody did the same thing to me'. The 'feel good feels' take control and provide enough empowerment to take control of the narrative and leave you with an overwhelming sense of purpose, especially as the song (and album) come to a close with soaring guitars, sombre singing and plenty of words of wisdom to follow through and act on.

'I know your heart's still hurting / you can take it out on me / there's a light up ahead a little closer than you think'

All the feels. All the emotions. All the fun. Big Ole Album Vol. 1 tugs on the heartstrings as you're guided on a journey of love, loss, aggression and grieving with plenty of standout moments that will appeal to the band's contrasting fanbase. The heavy fans will lap up the breakdown filled belters while the emo kids will be drawn to their melodic and heartfelt surprise hits which hark back to songs like 'Have Faith In Me' and "If It Means A Lot To You'. One thing is for sure, this is without an ounce of doubt A Day To Remember's most concise and consistent album since 2013 and the band have captured something uniquely special in their music which will make this album a key player in the long-lasting legacy.

ADTR are back, baby! Bring on Big Ole Album Vol. 2

Rating: 8/10
Big Ole Album Vol. 1 is out now physically and streaming from Friday March 21st via Warner Music Australia/Fueled By Ramen. Order and Pre-save here.
Review by Paul 'Browny' Brown @brownypaul

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