Magnolia Park has blown up in recent months, and for good reason. Grabbing the attention of a both younger and older audience by bringing a more pop-oriented sound to the pop punk genre, they are a fun band who can make a catchy tune. That’s why their forthcoming release, Baku’s Revenge, should be on everyone’s radar. Their blending of pop punk with dance, rap, and alternative rock lends itself very nicely to the genre as a whole, and works very well on Baku’s Revenge.
Magnolia Park has come into their own with this release. Their sound of pop with a punk edge shines through on Baku’s Revenge compared to their previous releases. It’s polished, thoughtful, and while it may not be for everyone (i.e. pop punk purists), it’s a very fun album to throw on. I see a long career for the guys in Magnolia Park if they keep this trajectory and energy going.
Songs like “Drugs” and “Feel Something” embody the pop aspect of pop punk, ripping through the listeners ears and infecting their brains with catchy lyrics and music, while also sporting a punk edge that is seething and will invoke listeners to jump into the pit at their show. “Drugs” delivers a fast-paced, catchy chorus, and a verse that plays with a trap beat both alone and with the band crafting over it. Ironically, the song is infectious and addicting as they make a stance against using hard drugs. “Feel Something” is a slow burn that builds up and up until it overflows in the chorus, turning the song into a dance party.
Some songs on Baku’s Revenge are more pop in their delivery, gunning for the Top 40 spot on the radio, such as “Paralyzed” and, ironically enough, “Radio Reject.” “Paralyzed” is a simple song that will have you singing along in no time, delivering a solid verse and explosive chorus. “Radio Reject” is a guitar-driven song that I can see being on the radio in the coming months. There isn’t much to write home about in terms of the composition; however, it’s a catchy song that will dig into your brain and make you hum along at the very least.
Baku’s Revenge is unflinching in what Magnolia Park are trying to achieve: success in the music industry. The band can craft great songs which sport meaningful lyrics and catchy hooks that touch on social and personal issues, the vocals switch between solid singing and strained yells, and it seems like a lot of care was put into Baku’s Revenge. If Magnolia Park feel like they have something to prove, they just did.
Be sure to check out Baku’s Revenge when it drops on November 4 via Epitaph Records.
Check it out here!
