2024 is definitely packed with legendary comebacks. Let’s take a look at SUPERCHARGED, the energy-packed promise from The Offspring. Review.
SUPERCHARGED – THE OFFSPRING
Well, if you’ve been following Unis Son for a while, you know we have a soft spot for The Offspring. So we couldn’t skip SUPERCHARGED, their new album. It arrives three years after their last release, with new band members, but still centred around Dexter Holland and Noodles, who’ve been there since the band’s beginnings in the 80s. Needless to say, expectations are high. Right from the first listen, it’s clear that the Californians have continued their collaboration with Bob Rock on production. The sound is classic Offspring through and through… better than its predecessor, SUPERCHARGED is filled with riffs from across their eras, without turning into a best-of.
And the more I listen to it, the more Looking Out For #1 grows on me. The pace is lively, the melody is catchy, and the band’s signature style is unmistakable. Even more so, Light It Up rekindles the energy that made them famous with Smash. There’s no mistaking the origins of this track—it’s pure SoCal skate punk! The Fall Guy doesn’t hit as well at first, but with repeated listens, its choruses and fast tempo make an impact.
And then… Make It All Right takes a different direction, heading into much poppier territory, too smooth, and far less convincing. It’s followed by Ok, But This Is The Last Time, in a similar vein. Smooth and leaning towards pop-punk. While the previous track might fit in with the likes of Pretty Fly (For A White Guy), this one feels like it belongs to a different band altogether.
They pick things up with Truth In Fiction, which is much more in line with what you’d expect from an album called SUPERCHARGED. The riffs move forward, whether you’re ready or not! These two minutes of high-voltage energy, with no time to waste, are followed by Come To Brazil. It’s a nod to their fans, especially active on social media, packed with references to the South American country and sure to have people all over singing along, all set to a surprisingly metal foundation. Get Some boasts great riffs, channels the screams of Smash, again, and backing vocals reminiscent of the Rolling Stones, but only really stands out in the chorus.
Hanging By A Thread maintains a solid base but has a few subtle (yes, subtle) arrangements that give it a genuinely nice depth. The theme, like many of their songs, is dark but not entirely hopeless. Finally, the album closes with You Can’t Get There From Here. It’s notably more pessimistic, invoking a palace of pain. Yet there’s still something cathartic about it.
In summary, SUPERCHARGED feels like The Offspring are back to their roots. It’s solid, but if you’re familiar with their discography, everything feels very familiar. Not quite rehashed, but close. The energy is still vibrant, and it holds onto you, if only out of nostalgia.
The band will be embarking on a world tour in 2025.
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