Neck Deep, the highly anticipated eponymous album from Wales-based pop-punk outfit Neck Deep, demonstrates a hard-hitting culmination of every signature sonic element of the band’s career thus far. Infectious melodies, slamming drums, and roaring guitars adorn each song, rarely letting up on energy throughout the entirety of its runtime. In an excited flurry of ten songs, Neck Deep’s goal to make an unapologetically Neck Deep-sounding album is accomplished from the first notes all the way through the final shimmering chords of its concluding track.

With this album, the band allowed themselves the creative freedom to make an album most authentic and true to the band. The record was made entirely on their own and without outside collaboration or influence, at the band’s warehouse and with bassist and elder brother Seb Barlow at the producing helm. “It was all us,” says frontman and younger sibling Ben Barlow. “There have been no compromises and that’s the way we like to do things these days. At this stage in our career it’s what we needed to give ourselves the freedom to make the exact album we wanted to make…what we really do best.” This sentiment is immediately apparent as track one, “Dumbstruck Dumbf**k,” slams into the listener’s ears, making its presence known and setting the pace for a high-energy ride to follow. Cuts like early single “Heartbreak of the Century” could sit right at home on 2015’s Life’s Not Out To Get You, while the politically charged “We Need More Bricks” evokes the same anger and angst that were present as early as Rain in July, with an energy also reminiscent of recent single “STFU.” The instantly recognizable nature of these songs showcases how the band have successfully crafted an unmistakable musical identity for themselves.

Lead single “It Won’t Be Like This Forever” laces an emotional lyrical sincerity with a glistening wink of optimism. About the track, Barlow states “That song is a real arm round the shoulder to the listener from us…I hope Neck Deep can help get people through some of their worst times and be the soundtrack to some of their best times,” and this mission statement is expertly articulated in this song. The relatability of the lyrics on the album provide the listener with just that, a sense of immense comfort in finding their own life experiences written about, sang about, and conveyed with a sense of humility and realism. Whether speaking to the relationship between parent and child on “They May Not Mean To (But They Do),” or tackling anger at the state of the world, depleting self-worth, and the common heartbreak, Neck Deep tackles an array of tangible human experiences, and crafts relatable narratives the listener will feel at home within.

Neck Deep pulls out all the stops to remind the listener why the band remains a mainstay of pop punk and rock music, combining its energetic pace and genuine lyrics to form an exceptional piece of art. The album is more than worthy of bearing the band’s name as its title, as this is the most definitive version of Neck Deep to date.

8/10