Music Review: Energy Over Age: New Found Glory Proves Pop-Punk Isn’t Dead With "Listen Up!"

Dan DiMartino
11 minutes ago
6 min read

Again, it may be 2026, but it feels like it's 2006 with releases from Goldfinger, Story of the Year, and now New Found Glory. New Found Glory is set to release their 11th studio album, “Listen Up!” on February 20th, 2026, through Pure Noise Records. This album is energetic, aggressive, features meaningful and purposeful lyrics, and demonstrates why New Found Glory are legends in the pop-punk genre.

“Listen Up!” opens with “Boom Roasted,” and I can't imagine a better song to open it with. “Boom Roasted” has a gritty guitar intro that brings to mind bands like Four Year Strong or A Day to Remember. The verse lyrics are delivered perfectly in pop punk style, featuring chants that are sure to have the crowd singing along in a live setting. The chorus maintains the heavier pop punk energy with lyrics that a concertgoer will sing back. I appreciate the bridge, where the instrumentals ease up a bit, allowing the song to breathe before returning to the heavier pop punk style. This track is the perfect opener for the album, providing listeners with a clear sense of its instrumental and lyrical direction.

“100%” was the first single off of “Listen Up!” and it keeps the energy going. It’s fast, loud, and upbeat with punchy power chords, driving drums, and a chorus that is an unapologetic pure pop-punk shout-along. Simply put, this is pure pop-punk adrenaline that’s going 110 mph. This song reminds me of early 2000s pop-punk with its energy and reckless optimism, but it also showcases the growth in New Found Glory. This is the perfect song to release as a first single because it showcases the band and this album very well. I can’t wait to hear this live with the energy of the song plus the energy from the crowd; I will be running through a wall.

“Laugh it Off” is the second single from this album, and it showcases the cleaner side of New Found Glory and pop punk. Chad Gilbert’s guitar is bright, bouncy, and clean compared to the previous songs. I wouldn’t expect anything else from New Found Glory because the clean guitars mixed with the contrast of the lyrics make the message hit harder. The lyrics are emotionally honest, but they are not self-loathing. They are reflective while allowing everyone and anyone to sing along the way. Simply put, the guitars carry the momentum and attitude, and the lyrics are emotional realism with pop punk optimism.

“A Love Song” by New Found Glory is a quintessential pop-punk hit. Chad’s guitar riff is incredibly catchy, making it perfect for air guitar sessions while belting out the chorus with Jordan. Cyrus and Ian keep the driving energy by playing a more pocket groove, opting to forgo technical fills. This highlights the band's growth and musicianship, demonstrating that not every track requires each member to stand out individually. Not every hit needs that.

“Beer and Blood Stains” was the fourth single released from this album, and it’s my favorite song on the album. The intro showcases Chad’s catchy lead guitar, which I believe can be harder to do than just shredding. Cyrus’s kick drum pattern drives the song’s energy, and the lyrics are pure pop-punk at its finest. What makes this song stand out is the bridge, where out of nowhere there's a time change and a breakdown. When I first heard this, I was thinking, oh please go there, and when they did, I screamed YES!!! “Beer and Blood Stains” is a pop-punk anthem that will make you want to jump, mosh, sing along, and throw down.

“Medicine” slows the album down and gives the listeners a needed break from the high energy. The standout in this song are the lyrics. It’s a bromance song that I feel was therapeutic for the band, especially considering what Chad Gilbert had to go through over the past few years. While it may be a slower song, I can still envision this song being performed live, with Jordan putting his arm around Chad, and the audience doing the same with the friends they attended the concert with.

“Treat Yourself” was the third single off of “Listen Up!” and it's a loud pop punk self-care anthem. The groove in this song will make you want to dance and run in a circle while the lyrics hit home for all listeners. The lyrics are about letting go of guilt and giving yourself permission to enjoy the moment. What I really like about “Treat Yourself” is that it’s not about heartbreak or introspection, but it's more about positive defiance. And with the world we live in, sometimes you need to stop worrying for a moment and just live in it.

“Dream Born Again” is another classic New Found Glory song that reminds me of “It’s Not Your Fault” when it comes to the emotions. It’s a feel-good song that has a vibe that I can see being played live. What I like most about this song is that the lyrics are being showcased. None of the instrumentals are playing parts that take away from the lyrics. They drive the song, allowing the listeners to focus on the message within the lyrics.

"You Got This" kicks off with such an energetic pop-punk intro that it instantly makes me smile and want to run around. This song showcases everyone. Chad’s guitar riff is is among the album's catchiest, Cyrus's driving drum grooves and fills are on display, Ian has some impressive bass runs, and Jordan's lyrics will resonate with every listener. This song is the album's hidden gem, and if they choose to create a music video, I hope it's a live performance in a gritty 500-capacity venue, capturing the raw emotions. I need to experience this song live, shouting the chant back to New Found Glory at the top of my lungs. It proves that a chorus doesn't always need lyrics to be impactful.

“Frankenstein’s Monster” is the final track off “Listen Up!” and it’s a great closing song. It maintains the driving energy that is showcased throughout the album. It’s also another song that highlights all the members for the same reasons I listed in “You Got This.” However, the bridge and/or outro really hits home with the emotions in the lyrics. The driving energy in the first half of the song shifts and allows the listeners to really sit with the final lyrics. It’s a beautiful way to end this album.

The production and final mastering on “Listen Up!” is exactly what I expected to hear. It’s clean and intentionally punchy and hits hard without losing the classic pop-punk warmth. The guitar tracks are thick and polished without being muddy. The drums are crisp, allowing the listeners to feel the energy driving from Cyrus. The vocals are lightly processed and sound smooth and human-like. Simply put, this album is loud with clear highs without the harshness on the ears, and the lows are punchy and not muffled. Well done!

I’m so excited to say that NEW FOUND GLORY IS BACK, BABY!!! This is some of their best work to date, and it’s on par with “Sticks and Stones” and “Catalyst.” “Listen Up!” is fun, full of that pop-punk driving energy that we know and love, and it shows growth in the band. This album is a testament to New Found Glory and shows us just how strong the bond is between each band member.

Despite all that Chad Gilbert has endured in his fight against cancer, no one would have questioned him or the band if they had decided to take a hiatus. However, they persevered and created an album that fans, both new and old, can relate to, air guitar to, and sing along with.

This album will change New Found Glory's lives, and it might already have. Music is a healing tool that allows one to express themselves. For Chad, Jordan, Ian, and Cyrus, this album could represent more than just a collection of songs; it could symbolize a pivotal moment in their personal and professional journeys.

"Listen Up!" will be available everywhere on February 20th, 2026, on all major streaming services and for purchase. See New Found Glory on the "Up Up Down Down" tour with Yellowcard and Plain White T's from May to June, as well as on select Warped Tour dates.

Listen Up! Tracklist:

1. Boom Roasted

2. 100%

3. Laugh It Off

4. A Love Song

5. Beer and Blood Stains

6. Medicine

7. Treat Yourself

8. Dream Born Again

9. You Got This

10. Frankenstein's Monster

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