This year marks a major turning point for pop punk. Sonically and lyrically, the subgenre and subculture are finally excited to be here. A new wave of artists seem to have inspired the generation before them, and so forth. As a result, groups like The Starting Line have seemingly gotten a second wind. It’s been 18 years since the release of Direction, leaving many fans eager—if cautiously—for more. The sweet spot for returning bands seems to exist within a Venn diagram’s center: Stray too far from nostalgia and new releases fall flat; lean on it too heavily and the material feels contrived. Thankfully, The Starting Line land squarely in that middle circle. Eternal Youth playfully taps into nostalgia while exploring new sides of the band fans may not have seen before.
The record’s opening notes build steadily before “I See How It Is” delivers catchy riffs and strong lead vocals—two hallmarks of the band’s appeal. Immediately, they introduce a more mature iteration without losing sight of who they are. While the title may read sarcastic, it could also be a genuine moment of clarity. Songs with dual meanings like this leave room for interpretation, not just for listeners but for the band themselves. As a reintroduction, it’s a strong reminder of why The Starting Line mattered in the first place.
Eternal Youth radiate contagious confidence. From the first few songs, the band sound secure as individuals and as a unit. Their signature angst remains, but it’s more refined now—a gift only lived experience can give. They even suggest they don’t want to “lose their sense of humor.” Throughout the LP, references to the past blend with the present, but what stands out most is its self-awareness. The Starting Line know who they are and where they’ve been, but they also know where they’re going. Reunion records often rise or fall on this balance. Some bands manage to find it and move further than they ever did the first time; others stumble. Here, The Starting Line grant themselves—and their fans—a phenomenal second chance.
The album’s center is more exploratory. Sonically, The Starting Line dabble with modern-emo textures, at times echoing Hot Mulligan. Some might argue records like Direction helped shape that very sound. Inspiration is cyclical, though, and fans don’t know what The Starting Line have been listening to until they share it—often indirectly, through records like this. A closer listen to songs such as “Circulate” or the title track shows how well the band has kept up with the scene between reunion shows and recording sessions. That awareness adds to the excitement, proving their time away wasn’t wasted but rather invested in sharpening their craft.
All that is to say, Eternal Youth is anything but contrived—it feels painstakingly curated. Each note brims with blood, sweat, and tears, as one would hope from The Starting Line. Albums like this give both longtime and new fans a chance to rediscover a band that remains fantastic at its core. The new creative choices make the inevitable nostalgia hit even sweeter. Hopefully, The Starting Line have more tricks up their sleeve—and this is only the beginning, again.
