The first thing that caught my eye was the album cover. It looks rather simple with a white backgound, showing just a cartoon like piano. Above the piano is the album title and below it the band name. It does catch your eye, but in this point in time I’m not sure why they chose a piano. I would have expected a guitar or a violin. But maybe I need to listen to they album first.

The first song is title track ‘Better Days’ with the lyric “Are you happy now? Now is not to late, to change everything you want to change”. A solid lyric to start the song with. A pop rock song in the style that we know from the old Yellowcard. That style is definitely still part of them. The solo is played on violin by Sean Mackin and brings back so many memories. A solid start of the album.
‘Take What You Want’ starts with a flanger effect and takes a different approach. The effects in the song give it a special touch. Further more the song stays solid punk rock throughout the short 2 minute and 26 second time line. The violin does the breakdown before the last chorus, but feels a bit left out in the rest of the song.

‘Love Letters Lost’ opens with a fast guitar riff that takes the lead until the first verse starts. This one has more spirit in it than the previous song. It’s fast and rocks hard. Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio is featured on this song. A very catchy song that will be on repeat for a while.
In ‘Honestly I’, the violin takes the lead. I’m happy they don’t forget about it and give it some attention. “Honestly I was afraid of this life”, an honest and pure song. If you had still al little doubt, like I had, that Yellowcard was really back, this song proves it to you.

‘You Broke Me Too’ starts slow and clean. A simple beat comes in loud and clear while the song explains itself. The chorus go loud and clear, while the verses are calm and solid. Avril Lavigne joins in on this song and finishes the perfect 2000’s pop punk song.
‘City of Angels’ is opened by a synth that plays a melody that leaves you wondering what’s coming next. It has a dreamy effect to it. I was ready for a fast chorus or something fast and hard, but it keeps the dreamy effect throughout the song, and it is truly beautiful. It does get a little more upbeat near the middle of the song. “Whenever I feel lost you bring me back”. Another beautiful lyric.

‘Bedroom Posters’ has a happy riff to it that instantly had me vibing in my chair while writing this review. That riff comes back between verses and I’m here for it. During the verses it tones down a bit, during the choruses it amplifies and gives this song a happy vibe to it. Even though the song is talking about wanting to go back to how things were, insinuating that the time they are in now is not necessarily happy.
‘Skin Scraped’ is another solid punk song. During the verses the guitar goes on low, leaving a hint of guitar and mostly drums and bass that take the lead. The chorus is, like I said in the beginning, solid and fast.

‘Barely Alive’ gives us a calm song. An honest and pure song that builds up in strength throughout it’s length. It’s just simply beautiful; the way the instruments are set up to tell you the feelings of the lyrics. Closer ‘Big Blue Eyes’ is an acoustic song and makes you reflect on all the stuff you just heard. Yellowcard always had beautiful lyrics and metaphors and I’m so happy I can hear their poetry again on top of solid punk rock music.

But I still don’t know why they chose this specific album cover to be honest.

Wow, this album is amazing. Maybe even the surprise of the year. To hear this band again is amazing. I love their lyrics and the way they play with words and music to create one story that has so many meanings in so many ways for so many people. Thank you Yellowcard!

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