Where do you go after your twenties are over — when the adolescence fades and you’re stuck managing the pressures of adulthood while holding onto the last breath of your youth? The Menzingers are a band that tries to tackle that very question as the underscoring theme of their new album.

The Menzingers are a scrappy, veteran punk rock band from Scranton, PA who released their fourth full-length album “After the Party” on Feb. 3.

The band has always excelled at conveying nostalgia through their lyrics and music. Embodying the moment after a trip down memory lane, with flashbacks still fresh in the mind and a keenly felt anticipation for the future in the air, “After The Party” showcases the band at their boldest and brightest yet.

The first song, “Tellin Lies,” is an angsty anthem that sets the stage for the rest of the album and captures the feelings of confusion and resentment about growing up. This song is a frenzy of pure punk with rough vocals calling to mind Social Distortion.

“Where are we gonna go now that our twenties are over, everyone’s asking me over and over” lead singer Greg Barnett screams with demand.

As a college student nearing graduation, this song is more than relatable as it focuses on being on the cusp of entering a new era.

It’s easy to say that every song on the album is good, however, the next song, “Thick as Thieves,” is definitely one of the more mentionable tracks on the album.

This song includes guitarist and co-vocalist Tom May perfectly matching Barnett’s vocal delivery, with a charging riff that marries every note and pitch. This song is groovy, catchy and depicts great harmonies. It’s an easy song to get stuck in your head.

Some other mentionable tracks on the album include “Charlie’s Army,” “House on Fire,” “Lookers” and “Bad Catholics.”

The second to last song, “After the Party,” is worth mentioning as it boasts some of the strongest lyrics on the album.

Barnett does some of his best work delivering feelings of nostalgia and sentiment, with lines like, “Like a kaleidoscope admiring years, I navigate ‘round your tattoos,” and, “We put miles on these old jean jackets, got caught up in the drunk conversation.”

Overall, this album is easily one of the best new released so far this year.

The best thing about “After the Party” is that it never has a lull or slows down in pace. Each song is full of power chords, commanding melodies, poppy drums and likeable rhythms. From start to finish, this album is full of bangers, which will leave listeners dancing throughout the whole thing.

Cameron Campbell is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. He can be reached at [email protected]