Blink-182California

“Tom DeLonge’s departure may just have made Blink-182 a better band.”

There’s a cynical feeling saying I should give up // You said everything you’ll ever say.

These are the opening lines of Cynical, the Mark Hoppus-penned first track on California, Blink-182’s first album since guitarist and founding member Tom DeLonge left to fight aliens and write music that sounds like U2. It’s surprising to see this kind of self-awareness from the band who used to write lyrics about anal probes and having sex with dogs, but this is Blink-182 in 2016—grown up and a little more thoughtful.

Legacy is a double-edged sword for bands who’ve been together for more than a couple of album cycles. Yes, you’ve (hopefully) built up a dedicated fanbase, but if those fans only want to to hear the hits that made them fall in love with the band, what’s the point of putting out anything new?

Luckily, punk never dies and apparently neither does Blink-182. Yes, bringing in Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba has given the band a new perspective, but it’s also given Blink a second singer and songwriter who can actually sing. As a result, California is stacked with lush harmonies from both Hoppus and Skiba, put best to use in the album’s title track and tongue-in-cheek closer Brohemian Rhapsody.

If California has one flaw, it’s that it is too long. 16 tracks—including two short joke ones— is a stretch for both quality and attention spans, and really should’ve been trimmed back to a half-hour of power.

If there’s an era of Blink-182 you particularly like, you’ll find a song representing it on California. Tom DeLonge’s departure may just have made Blink-182 a better band.

STANDOUT TRACKS: She’s Out Of Her Mind, Bored To Death, California

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WATCH: Blink-182’s video for Bored to Death

Read our list of songs Matt Skiba does better than Tom DeLonge here!