Released 11 years ago this October
Black Lines
Mayday Parade · 2015
44 min · 12 tracks · pop rock
A dynamic fusion of pop-punk energy and introspective lyrics that captures the tension between youthful exuberance and emotional turmoil.
Top tracks — play these first
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Just Out of Reach — This track highlights the album's emotional core with its exploration of longing and vulnerability, encapsulating the essence of personal relationships.
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Letting Go — With its anthemic chorus and poignant lyrics about acceptance and moving forward, this song stands out as a key moment of empowerment on the record.
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Hollow — This song effectively blends melancholy themes with catchy melodies, making it a memorable representation of the band's ability to balance emotion with accessibility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but lacks standout tracks that elevate it beyond its genre.
What we noticed
- The first track features a spoken-word intro that sets a reflective tone, followed by a shift into a driving rhythm with layered guitars.
- Several tracks incorporate tempo changes, such as 'Let’s Be Honest', which transitions from a slow build to an energetic chorus.
- The album includes moments of vocal harmonization, particularly in the choruses, which enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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 flow with emotional depth
- introspective moments for reflection
- melodic hooks for sing-alongs
- vibrant energy for road trips
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike cohesive listening experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 9, 2015, Black Lines is Mayday Parade's fifth studio album, following their 2013 release, Monsters in the Closet. At this point in their career, the band was experimenting with a more mature sound while maintaining their signature pop-punk roots, reflecting their growth and evolution as songwriters.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Maine· We the Kings· All Time Low
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 One of Them Will Destroy the Other 3:11
- 2 Just Out of Reach 3:44
- 3 Hollow 3:12
- 4 Letting Go 3:51
- 5 Let’s Be Honest 3:52
- 6 Keep in Mind, Transmogrification Is a New Technology 5:28
- 7 Narrow 3:07
- 8 Underneath the Tide 2:52
- 9 All on Me 4:16
- 10 Until You’re Big Enough 3:16
- 11 Look Up and See Infinity, Look Down and See Nothing 2:51
- 12 One of Us 4:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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