★★★★
Now on the other side of the generation gap, Good Charlotte have offered up an aptly titled album that serves as a “back in my day” type of speech in an effort to show the kids how it’s done.
Youth Authority is a perfect mix of bangers à la ‘Lifestyles Of The Rich And Famous’ and soft crooners to ease the pop-punk lover that we all have inside us. The boys don’t shy away from voicing their disapproval with the music industry nowadays, with lyrics like “And you know they ain’t got no soul now” and “Turned on the radio, it’s so confusing / Rappers were singing and rockers DJing”.
And while this may be true, luckily for the Madden brothers, the same angsty sound that topped the charts back in the noughties still works as just as well today. So while their romantic exploits, penning tracks for boy bands and judging on a TV talent show may have kept them in the headlines, this album is proof that the reason these brothers are still around all these years later comes down to one thing: they make some damn good songs (even without the eyeliner and liberty spikes).
Tip: listen to this album while joining the masses in a game of Pokémon Go for a full dosage of noughties nostalgia.
Good Charlotte’sYouth Authorityis available now through MDDN/Kobalt.
