Looking back to 1992, in Poway California, after being expelled from school for being drunk at a high school basketball game, Tom DeLonge was introduced to Mark Hoppus, thus the seeds were planted for what would become Blink-182.
For decades now, Blink-182 have been at the top of many Punk and or Pop Punk fans’ playlist. Releasing Cheshire Cat in 1995 and Dude Ranch in 1997, the band did not truly find massive success until 1999 with the epic release of Enema of the State. A defining record, Blink-182 were spotlighted more than ever with hit singles like “What’s My Age Again?,” “All The Small Things,” and “Adams Song.” Building on that, 2001’s Take Off Your Pants and Jacket came out strong with singles such as “The Rock Show,” “Stay Together for the Kids,” and “First Date.”
Shortly after all of this, the years of breaking up, side projects and reuniting had begun. With a brief hiatus, they released the self-titled album in ’03, but it would not be for another 8 years until 2011’s Neighborhoods where they would release a new album. From here there were more changes coming, but years later, and to the delight of many, in 2022 DeLonge announced his official return to Blink-182.
Thus a new album was born, marking the first album since 2011 to feature the group’s iconic trio of Mark Hoppus (bass, vocals), Tom DeLonge (guitar, vocals), and Travis Barker (drums). Their ninth overall album, One More Time… arrived on October 20, 2023 via Columbia Records not a moment too soon. Really exciting to long time fans, fortunately there were a whopping six singles released prior to One More Time…, including “One More Time,” “More Than You Know,” “Dance With Me,” “Fell In Love,” “Edging,” and “You Don’t Know What You’ve Got.” All showcasing that the band is firing on all cylinders again, in less than a month One More Time… is already topping charts.
Seventeen songs in total, the remainder of the album beyond the bundle of singles includes all the things that make Blink-182 what they are. However, the x-factor here are sick guitar riffs and the unique vocals of DeLonge. Sorely missed among listeners, beyond this, the most telling aspect of One More Time… is the fun, chaotic, and sometimes emotional lyrical nature that has stuck with the band since day one.
Looking deeper into the highlights, there seems to be a deeper story behind some of the tracks. For starters, the single “One More Time” is not just a slower track to add to the end of a full blown Punk high. Instead it includes hints of the trio’s past; including the plane crash that almost killed Travis Barker. This is while “Sickness” refers to Hoppus’s cancer diagnosis and pulls on the heart strings with the lyrics “Do I have to die to hear you miss me?” This is while “Childhood” is another emotional cut with a drum beat that keeps a relatively slower pace and synths layered into and throughout. Yet, all things considered, it is the single “You Don’t Know What You’ve Got” written and mostly sung by Hoppus that seems to hit you the hardest.
However, there are still those fun, fast, chaotic moments Blink-182 is most known for and those include, “Turn This Off!” and “Fuck Face.” And with that, it would be wrong to leave out “Turpentine,” because there is just something special about DeLonge’s voice… especially his Punk yells.
Through the break ups, the ups and downs, and the trials of everyday life, Blink-182 managed to put together a very strong album in 2023. As alluded to, the return of Tom DeLonge is really what makes this a winner and strikes a chord with fans. So, for this reason and much more, Cryptic Rock gives One More Time… 5 out of 5 stars.
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