Released: 21 June
Pure Noise Records
US alternative/pop punk outfit The Story So Far return to the forefront of the genre in 2024 with their fifth studio album. I Want To Disappear marks the band’s gain from strength to strength since they crashed into our world over a decade ago with their debut LP, Under Soil and Dirt. Five records later and frontman Parker Cannon, guitarists Kevin Geyer and Will Levy and drummer Ryan Torf are hustling back into our lives to remind us all that The Story So Far are well and truly back on their game – and content with the mark they’ve made on music.
“Nothing’s standing in my way…” From first listen, this album bleeds defiant pop punk in the best way and if you haven’t been feeling their more recent releases, I’ve got a tasty teaser for you. This album is going to bring you back to your youth.
Opening track ‘All This Time‘ sees The Story So Far back in their primal era, throwing about a punchy guitar riff that acts as a call sign for moshpit enthusiasts. It feels very rejuvenating especially as they have, in previous LPs Proper Dose and the self-titled record, traipsed down brooding, mellow tones of alternative rock. The second track ‘Watch You Go‘ follows suite in contagious pop punk attitude, blasting straight out of the Under Soil and Dirt vault. Ryan leads the band with such a prolific force, sounding so strong from the getgo.
The record’s leading track ‘Letterman‘ was the band’s re-introduction to fans earlier this year. It offered a modest, hopeful, and celebratory look at the band’s maturing sound, which has catapulted The Story So Far into the powerful alternative/rock act they are today.
‘Jump the Gun‘ delivers rhythmic guitars crashing into the drums in the best aural way possible, As a diehard fan of their earlier days, this track will give you all of the optimism that you’ve been yearning for since 2012. Amidst all the nostalgia through its seering punk, it also shows us a side of Parker Cannon that feels, well, in full bloom! However, easily the catchiest The Story So Far song to date is ‘Big Blind‘. Stylistically sounding refreshing and bold for a pop punk song, this track offers upbeat, pleasurable riffs that denotes what a contemporary song in the scene should sound like.
Keeping in true pop punk fashion is ‘Nothing to Say‘. Paying homage to scene godfathers blink-182, personally I did find this track a little inspired by Parker’s other side project, No Pressure. ‘Keep You Around‘ kicked in with a similar melodic moment as ‘Letterman‘ did and the band is presented to us in a slightly matured form. It’s cathartic yet raw, ultimately seeing The Story So Far rise up halfway through the chorus into what is an arena-rock showdown.
Honestly, my favourite song on this record is ‘You’re Still In My Way‘. The guitars and drums bleed together so beautifully in the intro, before Cannon takes us headfirst into a punktastic bounce of a chorus. ‘White Shores‘ offers us a moment of peace and solace, starting off with an acoustic strum. However, it unfolds into that well-rounded brooding, yet brutally honest emotional rock anthem.
Closing out the album is a retrospective of the band’s present-day self, showcasing and almost personifying an emotionally vulnerable Parker. ‘I Want To Disappear‘ evokes the biggest emotional move we’ve seen from the band since they dropped ‘Clairvoyant‘ a decade ago.
I Want To Disappear is not only a record of hope and celebrations. Essentially out of semi-retirement and back into the spotlight, this is The Story So Far bouncing back in their strongest era yet. The boys have taken their time on this release to pour out their truest selves into the melodies. While it did come about quite unexpectedly for fans, this is an album that should be added into every pop punker’s daily rotation almost immediately.
Rating: 10/10
Review By Tamara May
The Story So Far – I Want To Disappear tracklisting:
1. All This Time
2. Watch You Go
3. Letterman
4. Jump the Gun
5. Big Blind
6. Nothing to Say
7. Keep You Around
8. You’re Still in My Way
9. White Shores
10. I Want To Disappear
