With Listen Up!, New Found Glory deliver their 11th studio album and somehow still manage to sound hungry. For a band that has been part of my rotation for more than 20 years, that alone says something. This record leans heavily into themes of resilience, perseverance, and the complicated process of growing up, all while holding onto the kind of pop punk energy that built their foundation. There is nostalgia baked into these songs, but it never feels lazy or recycled. Instead, it feels intentional, sharpened, and refreshed for where they are now.

There is an added emotional weight to this album knowing it was created while Chad Gilbert has been navigating a cancer diagnosis and treatment. That reality seeps into the writing in a way that feels honest rather than performative. You can hear the urgency, the gratitude, and the refusal to back down in the performances. It is not just another New Found Glory record. It feels like a statement about survival.

“100%” stands out immediately as one of the defining tracks. It works on multiple levels. For some listeners, it will land as a love song, something deeply personal and intimate. For longtime fans, it feels like a promise. A reminder that the band is still here and still willing to give everything they have, no matter what obstacles show up. That dual meaning gives the track staying power.

“Beer and Blood Stains” leans hard into the riffs and feels almost like a subtle flex. It showcases the band’s musicianship and how much their sound has evolved over the years. There is a confidence in the way it moves, like a group that knows exactly what they are capable of and is not afraid to show it. On the other end of the spectrum, “Treat Yourself” taps straight into the skate punk DNA that has always run through their veins. It feels like it could slide seamlessly onto a Tony Hawk soundtrack, packed with that fast, punchy energy that defined early pop punk and emo scenes.

Then there is “You Got This,” a gang vocal dream that is practically built for live shows. You can already picture the crowd screaming it back, arms around each other, turning it into something communal. At its core, it is a self affirmation anthem. A reminder to listeners that no matter what life throws at them, they can push through it. That kind of messaging, especially in the current climate, hits differently.

Closing the album with “Frankenstein’s Monster” is a bold move and it absolutely lands. The track is emotionally heavy and deeply personal, reflecting on Chad’s battle with cancer and the weight that comes with it. It would have been easy for circumstances to derail everything, to stall momentum, or to fracture the band’s trajectory. Instead, the song feels like fuel. It captures the passion for music that still burns and the desire to inspire others to keep moving forward, one step at a time.

As someone who has followed New Found Glory through every era of their discography, this album feels like an important signpost in their career. You can hear the growth, the scars, and the gratitude. Their fanbase is now multigenerational, and Listen Up! manages to honor the older fans who grew up with them while still delivering hooks and energy that can pull in a younger crowd discovering them for the first time.

Overall, this is a strong, vulnerable, and well produced release that remains unapologetically New Found Glory. When you sit with it and really listen to the lyrics, it may be one of the rawest and most emotional records in their catalog.

Rating: 8.3/10