152
Taking Back Sunday · 2023
31 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A vibrant blend of post-hardcore energy and melodic emo hooks, channeling both nostalgia and contemporary urgency.
Top tracks — play these first
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Amphetamine Smiles Start here — Opening with infectious energy, this track sets the tone for the album with its driving instrumentation and introspective lyrics about escapism and self-awareness.
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Keep Going — The song blends catchy melodies with an uplifting message about resilience, showcasing the band's ability to balance emotional themes with vibrant soundscapes.
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Lightbringer — This track features poignant lyrics that reflect on personal growth and redemption, marked by a powerful chorus that emphasizes hope amidst struggle.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic post-hardcore with emo hooks, maintaining a balance of nostalgia and modernity.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving rhythms and layered guitar work, establishing a high-energy opening.
- Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts, alternating between quiet verses and explosive choruses.
- The album includes lyrical themes of introspection and nostalgia, with a focus on personal relationships.
- The final track features an extended instrumental outro that gradually fades out, creating a reflective conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo sing-alongs
- emotional intensity with hooks
- short bursts of vibrant energy
- for road trip playlists
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy immersive experiences
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued evolution and relevance in the emo revival scene.
- Career context
- Released on October 27, 2023, '152' marks Taking Back Sunday's seventh studio album, arriving six years after their previous release, 'Tidal Wave.' This album showcases the band's continued evolution while embracing their roots in emo and alternative rock, reflecting a matured sound that retains a youthful spirit amid personal introspection.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Brand New· The Used· Dashboard Confessional
Tracklist
- 1 Amphetamine Smiles Start here 3:05
- 2 S’Old 2:43
- 3 The One 3:17
- 4 Keep Going 3:12
- 5 I Am the Only One Who Knows You 3:08
- 6 Quit Trying 3:15
- 7 Lightbringer 2:48
- 8 New Music Friday 3:15
- 9 Juice 2 Me 3:14
- 10 The Stranger 3:14
What to play next
Tidal Wave
2016
Continues the blend of energetic post-hardcore with melodic elements.
Happiness Is
2014
Sets up the emotional depth and melodic structure leading into 152.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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