Thanks to blink-182’s chart-topping comeback, Neck Deep’s continued meteoric rise and Boston Manor emerging from the underground, 2016 has been the year pop punk well and truly made its fightback.
With big hitters like New Found Glory ready to return next year, as well as a plethora of up and comers looking to make a dent in the scene, 2017 looks set to be a year which continues the genre’s resurgence.
These are the pop-punk records you should be hyped for over the coming twelve months…
WSTR – Red, Green Or Inbetween
They’re mates with Neck Deep and Creeper, so we know they keep good company, but WSTR’s tunes are the main reason to be excited for their debut LP dropping on 20th January. The album’s singles – ‘Featherweight’, ‘Footprints’, and especially ‘Lonely Smiles’ – showcase a cleaner sound than was on show on their 2015 EP ‘SKRWD’, suggesting these boys are making a play for the big leagues. With choruses this massive, we wouldn’t bet against them.
As It Is – OKAY.
Also dropping on 20th January is the second effort from Patty Walters and co., and ‘OKAY.’ will likely be a record which propels As It Is from the status of hotly-tipped newbies to out-and-out pop-punk stars. Shimmering lead-single ‘Pretty Little Distance’ is evidence of how the transatlantic five-piece have their sights set squarely on the ‘pop’ side of pop punk, and with tunes as catchy as this, 2017 could be the year As It Is conquer the mainstream.
New Found Glory
Their sub-headline slots at 2016’s Slam Dunk proved that the US pop punk pioneers have still got what it takes to thrive in today’s scene, so we’re naturally buzzed over the news that Jordan, Chad, Ian and Cyrus will be giving us a new album in 2017. 2014’s ‘Resurrection’ had some total bangers on it, none more so than ‘Selfless’ and ‘Ready and Willing’, so the thought of more NFG pop-punk gems makes us feel all giddy inside.
Neck Deep
There’s not much in the way of details about a new Neck Deep album in 2017. We know they’ve been writing new music, and we’re pretty sure an album will drop at some point, but that aside the band have been holding their cards pretty close to their chest regarding new tunes. Still, if the quality of the re-worked versions of December are anything to go by, Neck Deep’s next record should be off-the-charts brilliant. We. Are. Hyped.
As well as the big-hitters, there’s plenty to be excited about when it comes to underground pop punk in 2017. Here are a few new bands you should keep your eye on next year….
Best Years
With new EP ‘Ride The Wave’ dropping this very week, Manchester pop punks Best Years will be hoping that this latest effort will be the one to capitalise on their raw potential. The early signs are good, with single ‘Beautiful Mess’ possessing an accomplished sound akin to the hotly-tipped WSTR. If the rest of the EP matches this high standard, 2017 could be their break-out year.
Junior
What do you get when you combine a wrestler, an author and a charity worker? Why, POP PUNK, of course! They might have vastly differing day-jobs, but when the three blokes that make up Cardiff band Junior pick up their guitars and start jamming, the result is one very well-oiled pop-punk machine. Sean Smith (he of The Blackout fame) features on the band’s latest single ‘Fall To Pieces’, and with new material expected next year, Junior will be aiming to attract more friends in high places.
Catch Fire
2017 could be the year these Nottingham pop-punks ignite. Having built-up a stellar live reputation touring latest EP ‘The Distance I Am From You’ throughout 2016, Catch Fire’s momentum is rapidly picking up speed as we head into the new year. Displaying a potent cocktail of choruses, crunch and character, the five-piece’s next release is one you’d be foolish to ignore.
