After The Party (The Mezingers) By Sarah McGinnis

It’s been eight years since Scranton-based band The Menzingers released their first EP, and this generation of pop-punk rockers has grown up together throughout the years. In fact, that’s the theme of their new album After The Party- each song sticks with the idea of growing up, having your heart broken, and figuring it all out.

The album opens up with “Tellin’ Lies,” the one song that best embodies the tone of the album, the main lyrics being, “Where are we gonna go now that our twenties are over?” Another hit off the album is “Midwestern States,” which highlights many young adults’ burden of student debt. My favorite off the record is “Bad Catholics” because it manages to make you feel nostalgic about adventures you haven’t even had yet.

What makes this album so special is that it perfectly sums up the experience that most Menzingers die-hards are going through right now; this generation of the punk scene are all around the same age (mid-twenties to mid-thirties) and all growing up and getting over their first loves, their college years, and everything that comes with the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Previous to After The Party, I hadn’t given The Menzingers much of a listen, but I have officially started to dig their music. They embody everything great about the PA pop punk scene, and I’m looking forward to hearing whatever they create in the future.