But Blink 182, in their imperial form – the Mark Hoppus, Tom Delonge, and Travis Barker show – are back. The California trio who need no real introduction have been pop culture mainstays since the turn of the millennium, and the self-awareness gracing this second resurrection makes it an absolute pleasure to behold.
One More Time... is not just a celebration of the three puerile pop punk prodigal sons returning to each other while embracing a legacy thirty years strong, but an acknowledgement that time is indeed passing so best not waste any more of it. Often they turn meta, openly referencing their trials and tribulations including Barker’s 2008 plane crash and Hoppus’ 2021 cancer diagnosis (“One More Time”, “You Don’t Know What You’ve Got”), but for the most part, this is a reconciliation of relationships, and enjoying the fuck out of life.
Produced by Barker – who’s been cutting his teeth with a plethora of collaborations and his new label DTA – the nods to Jerry Finn – the unofficial fourth member, who lifted Blink 182 into zeitgeist traversing goofs, who passed away in 2008 – and Barker's ear for pop punk gold makes for a stupendously fun, invigorating, and altogether full listen.
A slab of seventeen tracks, the bands ninth album has managed to pack enough dynamic twists and turns to make it feel like a joy ride rather than a struggling amble. Given the weight that One More Time... holds, it's an impressive feat and one that feels significant no matter which way you look at it.
The tension and disconnect that made this trio's last album, Neighborhoods (2011),
a fraught but resolutely forward-pushing effort is gone and in its
place comes a true amalgamation of the Blink journey. “Blink Wave” could
belong to Neighborhoods, “More Than You Know” to 2003's Untitled (including a fury embossed by Barker's double kick drum). Goofy interludes rear up like we’re back in 1997 on Dude Ranch, while “You Talk Too Much” and "Fuck Face" rip their jeans and crank the snot-nosed punk like a mature take on Buddha. “Hurt (Interlude)” hints at Delonge's beloved Angels & Airwaves, the natural evolution that may
have happened had they not disbanded in 2005, while "Terrified" sandblasts its way to the forefront, a brooding nod to Delonge and Barker's Box Car Racer days. It even opens with "Anthem
Pt. 3" bringing 99’s Enema of the State's party-hard "Anthem", and 2001’s Take Off Your Pants and Jacket's angsty "Anthem Pt. 2" to a wisened, resolute close.
While they still approach the usual retinue of romantic tales gone
right or wrong, the underlying framework delivers each cut as a
conversation between Hoppus and DeLonge unpacking their push and pull
history – and laying it to rest. Even the
inclusion of Barker – a famously muted component of the group – on
vocals for the titular track signals a change in the wind.
Though not every cut packs an equal punch. The weaker moments (“Childhood”,
“Fell In Love”), while necessary, are swiftly bolstered by the bigger picture including
deeper numbers such as “Turpentine” – an excellent track that marries their
immaturity with brash darkness creating a formula only Delonge and
Hoppus can pull off ("Take a pound of ecstasy / Blah blah blah blah...fuck"). And in good fashion, returning single “Edging” brings
pop punk to its fun unabashed roots, a facet that’s plainly missing from
the more depth-focused new generation.
Noticeable is the referencing of working and work life. Gone are the days of acting like stupid high schoolers – the band have realised their fans have grown with them. That is apart from when it comes to love, since we’re all just perennially stupid kids fumbling in the dark.
Trading “Na na na”’s for “Ole ole ole”’s (“Dance With Me”), Blink 182 feel more in control than ever. Given for the majority of the last decade they’ve been keeping the ship afloat with Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba and producer John Feldman, the magic of this trinity stands tall now they’re reunited. There’s no doubt this is the band hitting a new peak. They’ve set
aside all the bullshit and honed in on what it is we – and they – love
about Blink 182 – they’re trying to make us laugh, they want us to feel,
but most of all they want us to enjoy life because waiting till
you’ve only got one more time is pretty fucked in the head.
