“Big Ole Album Vol. 1 is a reminder of why A Day To Remember became a cornerstone of the scene. It’s an album that leans into their strengths while avoiding overambition.“

Words by Felix Bartlett | Feb 19, 2025

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A Day To Remember’s ‘Big Ole Album Vol. 1’ is a triumphant return to form, bringing ADTR’s tried and tested signature pop-punk and metalcore influences into a cohesive, energetic, and fresh record. After the polarising ‘You’re Welcome’, ADTR dials back the experimental overreach, delivering an album that feels both familiar and revitalised.

The album kicks off with ‘Make It Make Sense’, a strong opener that sets the tone with its octane-core energy, blending pop-punk melodies with crushing breakdowns. It’s a track tailor-made for live shows, with a soaring chorus and heaviness that reminds us of why we fell in love with ADTR. From there, the album swings between carefree anthems like ‘All My Friends’ and heavier cuts like ‘Bad Blood’ and ‘To the Death’, which deliver the bone-crushing riffs and breakdowns we’ve been craving.

Standout track ‘Flowers’ is a pop-punk sad-boi anthem that unexpectedly morphs into a heavy breakdown. Much like their earlier work, this is another epic track that shows the band’s ability to balance emotional vulnerability with raw power.

Not every track lands perfectly. ‘Feedback’ feels forgettable, and ‘LeBron’ comes off as a mid-tier pop-rock track that doesn’t justify its single status. However, these missteps are outweighed by stronger moments like the anthemic ‘Miracle’ and the moody, nu-metal-inspired ‘Silence,’ which adds brooding depth to the record.

The album closes with ‘Closer Than You Think’, an inoffensive pop-rock track that aims for epic but lands more on the side of pleasant. It’s a fitting end to an album that, while not groundbreaking, feels like a much-needed course correction.

Big Ole Album Vol. 1 is a reminder of why ADTR became a cornerstone of the scene. It’s an album that leans into their strengths—catchy choruses, crushing breakdowns, and genre-blending—while avoiding overambition. While it may not win over everyone, it’s a solid, fun, and cohesive record that should please fans and get us all pumped for their headline slot at Slam Dunk Festival this May.

Verdict: 💀💀💀💀

For fans of: Pierce The Veil, Asking Alexandria, Beartooth

Big Ole Album Vol. 1 is out on February 21 in physical formats via Fueled By Ramen / Parlophone, and receives a digital release on March 21.