New Found Glory “Listen Up!” Album Review
‘Listen Up!’ completes a full-circle moment for ‘New Found Glory’. Nearly three decades on from their formation in Coral Springs, Florida, the pop-punk pioneers return with a sonically familiar, yet evolved record. This is not a band chasing relevance or clinging to nostalgia. ‘Listen Up!’ showcases four people standing side by side, taking stock of their journey and their trajectory, together.
‘Boom Roasted’ opens and it is immediately clear that this album is grounded in momentum. The guitars surge forward with urgency, the drums snapping into place with rapid precision, and Jordan Pundik’s vocals arriving sharp and self-assured. It plays less like an introduction and more like a mission statement. Direct, driving, and unmistakably ‘New Found Glory’, it establishes the record’s foundation without lingering too long.
‘100%’ continues the momentum, leaning into the band’s knack for writing songs that feel instinctive, while still carrying emotional weight. The chorus is built for packed rooms and raised voices, yet beneath the bounce sits a message about perseverance and commitment. It is the kind of track that reminds you why this band has remained a staple for so long - pairing sincerity with speed and conviction.
‘Laugh It Off’ brings a lighter emotional tone without sacrificing energy. The music remains upbeat and punchy, driven by bright riffs and tight rhythms, but there is a sense of looseness here that gives the song its character. It feels buoyant rather than intense, offering a moment of levity that still keeps the record moving at a brisk pace.
‘A Love Song’ doesn’t slow things down either, instead shifting the focus inward while maintaining momentum. The guitars stay lively, the rhythm stays quick, yet the melody carries a warmth that adds emotional depth. It is a reminder that ‘New Found Glory’ can write hooks that hit just as hard emotionally as they do musically, allowing feeling and velocity to coexist without compromise.
‘Beer and Blood Stains’ stands as one of the most reflective moments on the album. Written as a nod to the scenes and spaces that shaped the band. It feels like an open invitation to remember alongside them. Gritty drums, a memorable guitar line, and a well-placed hardcore breakdown give the song a raw, communal energy. It celebrates endurance without romanticising the struggle, acknowledging how rare it is to still be standing after all this time.
‘Medicine’ introduces one of the album’s most effective dynamic shifts. The verses pull back, moving with a more restrained intensity that allows the groove and lyrics to breathe. When the chorus arrives, the energy lifts, bursting forward with renewed force. This push and pull adds tension and release, giving the song a sense of movement that feels deliberate rather than predictable.
‘Treat Yourself’ follows with a sense of encouragement that never feels hollow. There is a confidence in the way the band plays here, balancing self-awareness with optimism. The track feels reassuring without being escapist, reinforcing the album’s recurring message of resilience and self-belief.
‘Dream Born Again’ and ‘You Got This’ work as companion pieces, both centred on perseverance and collective strength. Group vocals and driving rhythms give these songs a sense of unity, making them feel tailor-made for live settings. They capture the band at their most uplifting, offering affirmation that feels earned rather than forced.
The album closes with ‘Frankenstein’s Monster’, a track that carries the deepest emotional weight of the record. Written about guitarist Chad Gilbert’s ongoing battle with aggressive metastatic cancer, it is candid without being bleak. Lines like “I just wanna feel alive again” land with quiet force, carried by relentless drums that refuse to let the song collapse inward. Rather than ending in despair, the track lifts itself upward, framing hardship as something faced together.
Throughout ‘Listen Up!’, the band’s creative process feels cohesive and balanced. Guitar riffs form the backbone, while melodies and rhythms work in tandem rather than competing for space. The drums remain thick and purposeful, grounding each track while allowing moments of variation to breathe. It is clear that time spent writing and jamming together has strengthened the record’s sense of unity.
As a whole, ‘Listen Up!’ highlights ‘New Found Glory’s’ enduring sound and lasting influence on pop punk. It honours the genre they helped shape while speaking honestly about growth, adversity, and connection. For longtime fans, it recalls the music that shaped their youth. For newer listeners, it offers a clear understanding of why this band still matters.
This is an album about staying present, about listening closely to the people around you and the moments you are living through. New Found Glory are not looking backward with regret or forward with fear. Instead, they stand firmly in the now, inviting their audience to do the same. In doing so, Listen Up! becomes more than another chapter in their catalogue. It is a reaffirmation of who they are, and why their voice continues to carry weight.