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"Nine" is the eighth studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on September 20, 2019 through Columbia Records.
While Nine builds upon the band's collaboration with producer John Feldmann—who also produced California—it also explores outside producers and songwriters.
Much of the album's lyricism is dark in nature and was informed by world events, as well as Hoppus's battle with depression. The color wash album cover was painted by renowned graffiti artist RISK, while the album's title stems from its numerical sequence in the band's catalog. Musically, the album updates the band's pop punk sound with hip hop-inspired programming, as well as electronics.
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The upbeat, infectious Pop Punk that you know and love opens Nine with “The First Time,” a celebration of the carefree days of youth and all their myriad discoveries. Hoppus and Skiba bounce off one another perfectly as Barker weaves around them to anchor the fun with his exceptional drumming. This leads to “Happy Days,” a hope that despite the frustration and dread, it will get better—though some nights will always weigh heavy with their yearning for brighter times.
Bass anchors the core of melancholic “Heaven,” where Skiba is in his element. Here, the band take a poignant look at gun violence, particularly within schools and the growing danger to students simply in attending class. Next, catchy toe tapper “Darkside” goes for more upbeat subject matter—even if it’s a woman with a naughty streak. Meanwhile, autobiographical “Blame It On My Youth” injects wit into its look back at the foibles of youth and doing that Safety Dance.
It would be easy for a band such as blink-182 to sit complacent and never alter their sound or experiment—their fanbase is already built-in and their name is at the uppermost echelon of their genre. Instead, on Nine the trio of exceptional musicians take chances that pay off in a collection that is as heavy in quantity as it is in quality. With some darker tones mixed into their portfolio of sounds, and moments of deep lyrical content, Nine sounds like the darling lovechild of classic blink-182, Alkaline Trio, and Goldfinger, creating a deliciously digestible album. A refreshingly diverse and enjoyable experience.
Rewiewed by Jeannie Blue for crypticrock.com.
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