Album Review: A Day To Remember – You’re Welcome

Flyer News writer reviews A Day To Remember’s newest album, photo courtesy of Flickr.

Daniel Peters
Contributing Writer

Five years in the making. A new record label, an EDM collaboration, a global pandemic, new business ventures and bringing new life into the world. All of these created a concoction of promise in the studio for the pop punk band A Day To Remember. 

Their new album, “You’re Welcome,” is a step in a new direction for A Day To Remember. They wanted to write an album that encompasses what they were, who they are and where they want to be.

The singles, “Degenerates,” “Resentment,” “Mindreader,” “Brick Wall,” and “Everything We Need,” are songs that perfectly show what kind of album they wanted to make that sound like true A Day To Remember songs. 

A Day To Remember is a Pop Punk band from Ocala, Florida, which sits about one hour north of Orlando. They quickly gained a cult-like following amongst tweens and teens after their first few albums, specifically their albums “For Those Who Have a Heart,” “Homesick” and ‘What Separates Me From You.”

The record that really shot them into the stratosphere was their magnum opus, “Common Courtesy,” which was the album they were supporting when I first saw them. Their top five hits that gained them monumental popularity are “All I Want,” “The Downfall of Us All,” “I’m Made Of Wax Larry, What Are You Made Of?” “If It Means A Lot To You,” and my absolute favorite “Sometimes You’re The Hammer, Sometimes You’re The Nail.”

In 2016, after the album “Bad Vibrations,” A Day To Remember felt ready to move to a major record label. They finally settled on one of the biggest alternative labels in the music industry, Fueled By Ramen, with bands such as Panic! At The Disco, Twenty One Pilots and Paramore on the label. When some bands or artists switch to Fueled By Ramen, they sometimes undergo a massive overhaul of their sound, which in turn, makes their music more poppy and simplistic. 

I was honestly afraid and shocked when they ended up on this label. I was excited yet extremely cautious with this album, I bought many articles of merch that was themed by the singles, yet I didn’t know what to expect from the Ocala, Florida, pop punk legends. 

The single dropped by Marshmello titled, “Rescue Me,” was a collaboration between powerhouses of two distinct genres of music. It took an EDM twist on melodic pop punk and soon became a favorite track in their discography. Then after touring with some of the supporting singles for “You’re Welcome,” the whole world came to a halt. 

COVID-19 threw a wrench in everyone’s plans. Through this pandemic, guitarist Neil Westfall opened up a restaurant in Orlando as well as welcoming a brand new baby into the world. Westfall is the newest member of A Day To Remember to bring a bundle of joy into the world, right behind lead singer Jeremy McKinnon who had a daughter after the release of “Bad Vibrations.” Drummer Alex Shelnutt announced that his family is expecting a new member in August of this year. 

These life events all led up to the album that will possibly change the future of A Day To Remember, “You’re Welcome.”

The most memorable tracks on this album are “Last Chance To Dance (Band Friend)” which rivals the heaviness of some of their most iconic songs, “Permanent” which will most likely become a live staple with its anthemic chorus. “Only Money” has a very somber and reflective feeling to it, whether it is reflecting on family, working or the pandemic, “F.Y.M.” is a middle finger song for those who feel like they’re overworked or feel stuck in the same place. 

My favorite track off of this album is “Viva La Mexico.” I can see myself floating in the springs with my friends and playing this song for everyone to hear. This song became one of the many songs that I will recommend for first time listeners of A Day To Remember. There is a song for everyone on “You’re Welcome,” and I hope that you find your song from this album. 

Overall rating: 4/5