Cartel – CHROMA (2025)

September 12, 2025 by Josh Custer in Album Review

When the original CHROMA dropped in 2005, the timing couldn’t have been better. MySpace was thriving, Warped Tour was king, and the scene was full of energy and emotion. CHROMA was an album that immediately hooked me; it had everything I wanted and needed at that time in my life. Will Pugh’s vocals and songwriting stood out from the crowd, and the record felt clean, cohesive, and complete. It’s held a nostalgic spot in my heart ever since, and I’ve rarely gone back to it without playing the whole thing straight through.

Album Review: BABYMETAL – Metal Forth

August 07, 2025 by Josh Custer in Album Review

If The Other One was BABYMETAL exploring the edges of their own creative map, Metal Forth is them stepping into the worlds of others and leaving their mark. It is highly collaborative, full of bold genre crossovers, and still rooted in the things that make this band so uniquely fun to follow. There is no single sound here, just a constant pull toward movement, fusion, and reinvention.

Neck Deep: Neck Deep

January 18, 2024 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Neck Deep's self-titled album is a triumphant return to form. It’s an album that doesn’t just revisit the past but celebrates it, all the while pushing forward into a future that’s as bright as the hooks in their songs. This record is a testament to the band's lasting impact on the pop-punk scene – not as a reinventor but as a master of the craft. In a world where musical genres are constantly evolving, Neck Deep stands as a reminder of why pop-punk remains a beloved and enduring style.

Broadside: Hotel Bleu

November 09, 2023 by Josh Custer in Album Review

"Hotel Bleu" captures Broadside's growing pains and pleasures in crafting music that's true to them. It's an album that reflects a band not content to rest on their laurels but one that's ready to push their boundaries while staying true to their pop-punk heart. Whether you're here for the infectious choruses, the collaborative creativity, or the varied emotional landscapes, "Hotel Bleu" promises to resonate with listeners who appreciate the blend of sincerity and sonic evolution. This isn't just a pop-punk record—it's a showcase of Broadside's journey and their determination to grow without losing the edge that makes them, well, them.

Of Virtue: Omen

October 26, 2023 by Josh Custer in Album Review

In sum, "Omen" is a captivating mosaic of modern metalcore. It's an exploration of electronic-infused melodies, thunderous breakdowns, guttural roars, and relentless rhythms. Of Virtue's willingness to push boundaries and embrace experimentation shines through, making "Omen" a sonic odyssey worth embarking on.

As our conversation on Musicians For Mental Health underscored, music has the power to heal, transform, and connect. "Omen" is more than just an album; it's a testament to Of Virtue's growth and resilience. It's a journey worth taking, a testament to the enduring power of music.

Floor Space: Maybe This Is It

October 24, 2023 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Floor Space's blend of nostalgic alt-rock sound, combined with their unwavering commitment to truth and humor, acts as a vessel to navigate life's challenges. It's an album that encourages listeners to confront their own hardships, break vices, and embrace new experiences, even if it means trying something as daunting as vegetables.

Tyler Posey: UNRAVEL

May 24, 2023 by Josh Custer in Album Review

"UNRAVEL," Tyler Posey's debut full-length LP, is a testament to the creative freedom he embraces as an independent artist. With a seamless blend of genres ranging from screamo hardcore punk to chill beach vibes, Posey fearlessly explores a vast musical landscape. Each track on the album adds a unique layer to the immersive experience, delving into personal struggles, existential questions, and moments of triumph. Guided by producer Matt Malpass, the album's diverse sounds and profound lyrics create a cohesive and captivating narrative, inviting listeners to embark on an emotional rollercoaster.

The Used: Toxic Positivity

May 17, 2023 by Josh Custer in Album Review

The band's ninth full-length album, "Toxic Positivity", is not a traditional concept record but rather a day-in-the-life journey of a depressed, anxiety-ridden person, according to McCracken. The album begins with a sobering admission of being "the worst I’ve ever been", yet ends on a note of resilience and determination with the mantra "I’m not giving up on me". McCracken explains the album's paradoxical title as a reflection of the feeling of resentment towards those who seem to be doing well, while deep down, nobody truly is. He summarizes, “I want people to understand that, no matter how bad it gets, you don't have to give up. Everything always feels different no matter what. So what you're feeling right now you will not feel later on.

Black Guy Fawkes: Intrusive Lullabies

April 20, 2023 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Now, Black Guy Fawkes invites listeners to journey with him through the depths of his soul in "Intrusive Lullabies," an emotionally charged EP crafted during a particularly dark and challenging period of his life. It was during this time that he grappled with a sense of self-worthlessness, only to emerge from the shadows with a renewed sense of identity and purpose.Through this intimate musical experience, he extends a heartfelt invitation for you to discover joy, purpose, hope, comfort, relief, and a newfound sense of self-worth within the evocative melodies and poignant lyrics of this record.

RedHook: Postcard From A Living Hell

April 17, 2023 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Overall Postcard From A Living Hell is another outstanding showing by the band and is going to fit nicely into their long discography. RedHook is unapologetically authentic and their fanbase loves them for it. The album checks all the boxes you could ask for and is one that will have tracks for all of your playlists, the angry work out one, the sad day cry session, the I’m in a bad mood one, EVERY SINGLE PLAYLIST. I cannot say enough good things about this album, its not often that a band can put out an album that doesn’t miss on even 1 track, but this album does not miss.

Story Of The Year: Tear Me To Pieces

March 08, 2023 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Story Of The Year. That’s it, that is the introduction. If you were listening to music in the mid 2000s then odds are you’ve heard of Story Of The Year, and have probably screamed “Until The Day I Die” at the top of your lungs as well. The band has remained relevant over the years, and now with the resurgence of Emo & Post Hardcore, the band is poised to bring in a whole new generation of fans and reignite the flame inside of the elder millennials. The new album Tear Me To Pieces is sure to be a fan favorite.

New Found Glory: Make The Most Of It

January 18, 2023 by Josh Custer in Album Review

I have been a fan of New Found Glory since first hearing Nothing Gold Can Stay back while I was in high school. NFG have been a soundtrack to my life as we both have grown and matured over the years. This album hits especially close to home for me as I also had a sudden near death experience in January 2021. This album is going to be powerful and meaningful for a large number of people, but there are going to be some people that see themselves in these lyrics more than anyone else. On behalf of the entire fanbase I say “Thank you” but also “I’m glad everything worked out”.

Bayside: The Red EP

October 17, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

For over 2 decades at this point, Bayside fans have been referred to as a cult. The band has been about to amass this cult like following through being their authentic selves, never settling or compromising for what the current trend in music is. This is why so many of their fans support them through every release they’ve made, whether it is an acoustic track (which gets as much if not more love than the original), a cover song, an all out rock song, or a song of the depressed. Bayside is a band that people can relate to, and tie to moments in their lives. This EP is a peak at the new material they are working on, and fans are sure to be ready to make whatever comes next the soundtrack of this chapter of their lives.

Jagwar Twin: 33

September 28, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Jagwar Twin defies all boundaries set by any musical genre, he fits in none of the boxes, but he fits in all of them at the same time. I would love to be able to tell you who this album will be a good fit for, but the truth is that anyone that is openminded, and just wants to enjoy music in any form is going to have tracks on this album they will like. I believe that he may very well be a musical savant.

The Summer Set: Blossom

September 07, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

As an “old” fan of The Summer Set I can tell you this album sparked a hope in me that there is a lot of new music left in them, more stories to be told, and memories to be made. Sonically there are obvious differences between Blossom and their prior album Stories For Monday and much different than what many consider their peak album Legendary, but what this album does is hit the restart for the band. This collection of songs features a little something for everyone, and shows the band is ready to move forward again and start to win over crowds again.

Heart Of Gold: Beautiful Dangerous

August 11, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Heart Of Gold is releasing the debut album “Beautiful Dangerous” on August 12th, via Sharptone Records. It feels weird to call this a debut with Michael McGough being an artist who has seen tremendous success both on his own as well as with popular post-hardcore group, Being As An Ocean, his new album is a rebirth of sorts for the singer-songwriter, both sonically and lyrically, and it’s finally his turn to share his story.

Pollyanna: Slime

June 24, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

New Jersey punk band Pollyanna have released their new album “SLIME’ via I Surrender Records. With sounds of power-pop, loud rock, bubble grunge, and punk influences, their name is directly derived from the dictionary definition, “to be unreasonably or illogically optimistic” - perfectly describing front-person Jill Beckett’s ‘stuck in 2017’ incredibly optimistic attitude.

Sophie Powers: Red In Revenge

May 18, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

Emerging powerhouse Sophie Powers releases her debut EP Red In Revenge via Set Records. At just 17 years old Sophie has found a combination of soundscapes to put out her powerful message. Don’t let her age fool you into thinking this is going to be some teenie bopper cliche, Sophie writes in a way that is beyond her years. She blends a wide variety of genres to deliver relatable messages ranging from failed relationships to mental health topics.

State Champs: Kings of the New Age

May 12, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

It may be a bold statement to some, but I think this is an early frontrunner for the pop punk album of the year. Calling the album Kings Of The New Age may sound arrogant or conceited but I think it is more of a revelation that pop punk is in a different place now and while there is certainly a lot of legends in the scene, there is a new era of artists coming through. I would say its hard to argue that State Champs aren’t the “Kings Of The New Era”, and this album is an open challenge for someone to prove them wrong, or give them the crown.

Simple Plan: Harder Than It Looks

May 06, 2022 by Josh Custer in Album Review

If you have ever been a fan of Simple Plan this is an album that you have to check out. If you are of the younger generation and are thinking about checking out the album because “everyone seems so excited about this” then I would say do it, but do it the right way and that is to listen to it from start to finish in order to get the full experience of the album.