Matchbox Twenty debuts first album in over a decade
If you have been looking for the soundtrack of the summer, look no further than Matchbox Twenty's new album, Where the Light Goes.
Their fifth studio album, the first in over a decade, is stacked with 12 tracks, perfect for late-night drives with the windows down and friends to scream along to the lyrics. Keeping the tone optimistic and looking forward, rather than reflecting on the past, the album is ideal for your coming-of-age-movie main character moment, transporting you straight to the bliss of late summer nights surrounded by friends.
The album opens with “Friends,” followed by “Wild Dogs (Running in a Slow Dream),” anthemic celebrations of love and light, rounded out by the optimistic tune and an undeniable groove that makes you want to dance and laugh along.
“Rebels” reflects the transformations of growing up, growing from young, angry, and full of fire to wiser and more at peace as you age. The song details how exhausting it is being young, having to fight at every corner to establish yourself and what you want, and then delves further into making peace with who and where you are as you grow. “One Hit Love” slows the album down but maintains its optimistic view on the possibilities of love. The song explores how one has to be brave to love and how much it’s worth it to try, even if you might feel doomed from the start.
As the album progresses, songs “Queen of New York City” and “Where the Light Goes” maintain the light, upbeat feel, providing the perfect soundtrack to dance along to. In contrast, “Hang on Every Word” is a slower, melodic love song before “Don’t Get Me Wrong” goes back to the heart of the album's tone, providing upbeat, optimistic rhythms you want to sing along to.
“I Know Better” is an album standout, sounding almost like a James Bond theme with a dark and haunting tone that builds suspense as it grows into its full sound. Ending the tracklist with “No Other Love” followed by “Selling Faith,” Matchbox Twenty leaves the listener with a positive outlook, knowing how important it is to be grateful for the things you have and the people you love.
After the decade-long hiatus between albums, Matchbox Twenty ushers in a new sound with their latest album, growing from their debut full of the angst of early adulthood into a clearer, more optimistic outlook provided by the many lessons of growing into middle age. If you need me at any point this summer, I will be screaming along to this album in the car with my friends.
(Cover photo by Jimmy Fontaine / Billboard)