When the original CHROMA dropped in 2005, the timing couldn’t have been better. MySpace was thriving, Warped Tour was king, and the scene was full of energy and emotion. CHROMA was an album that immediately hooked me; it had everything I wanted and needed at that time in my life. Will Pugh’s vocals and songwriting stood out from the crowd, and the record felt clean, cohesive, and complete. It’s held a nostalgic spot in my heart ever since, and I’ve rarely gone back to it without playing the whole thing straight through.

With the 2025 version of CHROMA, the first thing that jumped out to me was the shift in vocal register, cadence, and lyrical delivery. It’s not a bad thing, and totally understandable; time changes voices, and Will still sounds fantastic. But there’s a slight adjustment in how the songs flow vocally. If these were all brand-new tracks, I don’t think I’d think twice about it. But because I’ve spent 20 years with the original versions, there’s a moment of dissonance. It almost feels like I need to relearn the songs I thought I knew inside and out.

That said, the heart of CHROMA is still here. The polish is still here. It doesn’t feel rushed or slapped together, there’s intention in every choice, and the production brings out a richness in the soundscapes that feels modern without losing the spirit of the original. Tracks like “Honestly,” “Runaway,” and “Luckie St.” still shine, with “Honestly” especially reminding me why this album meant so much in the first place.

There are also songs like “The Minstrel’s Prayer” and “Save Us” that carry noticeable structural and tonal changes, but they still manage to hold true to their emotional core. They may hit a little differently now, but the sentiment and sincerity haven’t been lost.

I think for a lot of people, this version of the album will inspire a relisten of the original and spark comparisons. That’s okay. Music is personal, and when something means a lot to you, it's natural to measure it against your memory. What stands out to me is that even though I might still prefer the original version of some tracks, there isn’t a single song on CHROMA (2025) that feels like a skip. This is still a rock-solid record, and I think it fits incredibly well in the current era of pop punk.

This doesn’t feel like a nostalgia cash grab or a fan-pandering move. It feels like a sincere and well-crafted re-envisioning of an already classic album. It might not replace the 2005 version in my heart, but it definitely earns a place next to it.

If you’ve never listened to Cartel before, I’d actually recommend starting with this version. It feels like a more accurate reflection of where the band is today, and it’ll probably match the live experience more closely too. Then go back and hear the original. Compare, connect, and find your favorite versions. For me, the 2003 release will always be the definitive one, but that’s just because of where I was in life when I first heard it.

CHROMA (2025) isn’t trying to replace the past. It’s here to revisit it with fresh eyes and a clear heart. And for that, it absolutely earns its place.