MxPx - Find A Way Home (Album Review)
MxPx – Find A Way Home
Released: August 25th, 2023
Lineup
Mike Herrera | Bass & Vocals
Tom Wisniewski | Guitars & Backing Vocals
Yuri Ruley | Drums
Online:
As one of the two main bands that got me through the dark ages of 2020-22, MxPx kept extremely busy during that period, with regular livestreams and the occasional new tune. Five long years after the self-titled album that helped take the pop punk legends into a new era (creating a new fan-favourite hit in the process, ‘Let’s Ride’,) MxPx bring us Find a Way Home, an album that presents a sound that is as fresh and relevant as the band has ever been.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgf5E7yfKX4
That’s not to say that the classic pop-punk sound isn’t well represented, the opening track ‘Not Today’ evokes the ‘everyone to the pit’ energy the genre is well known for yet presents a top-notch songwriting talent that has been refined since MxPx’s formation in the early 90s.
That high energy vibe continues throughout the album on ‘This Is What You Told Me’ and ‘What I Tell Myself’, while ‘Cautious Optimistic’ is a catchy song that presents a viewpoint of going about your life in a (very) safe manner. Frontman Mike Herrera is a master at weaving some clever yet catchy lyrics into some memorable songs, and even tries his hand at a bit of French for the track ‘Excuse My French.’
That lyrical skill, however, is at its best for the album's lead single, ‘Stay Up All Night,’ a song that does a great job as the best representation of the album's overall themes of staying positive and sticking together. Catchy choruses are scattered throughout the album in songs like ‘Undone’ and ‘Mountains To Climb,’ providing some memorable pop punk moments that are sure to invoke some crowd singalongs as they head out for some proper touring.
Guitarist Tom Winsniewski does a great job in providing some interesting ambient and solo moments, while also knowing when to just kick back and let some traditional punk guitar chords do the talking. Tom gets the opportunity to shine the most in the instrumental track ‘Sunrise,’ a short piece that provides a kind of intermission moment for the album. It should also be noted that Yuri Ruley is possibly one of the most underrated drummers of the genre, acting as that steel rod that holds the whole band together, while also keeping things interesting with some cool percussion passages.
The album’s final track, ‘Mistakes Will Be Made’ provides a great closure to the collection, leaving you optimistic and longing for another listen. It’s been a long road to this album for the band, but in this latest era of MxPx they’ve proven to be just as relevant to today’s modern pop punk scene as their younger peers, and I can’t wait to see them make it out here for a long overdue visit to Australian fans.
MxPx - Find A Way Home Tracklisting:
1. Not Today
2. This Is What You Told Me
3. What I Tell Myself
4. Cautious Optimistic
5. Excuse My French
6. Stay Up All Night
7. Ready To Rage
8. Undone
9. Call Me
10. Mountains To Climb
11. Sunrise
12. When We Broke Through
13. Mistakes Will Be Made
Rating: 10/10
Find A Way Home is out now. Stream here
Review By – Simon Valentine (@SimonValentineAU)
