Simple PlanHarder Than It Looks

There’s a reason Simple Plan has stuck around this long.

MORE: NORTHLANE: From the lyrics to the avant-garde inclusion of trance and DNB elements, Obsidian truly showcases a new era for Northlane. // OCEAN GROVE: Another Voyage To Oddworld REVIEWS: OCEAN GROVE: Up In The Air Forever // SAVIOUR: Shine & Fade // RAMMSTEIN: Zeit // VOID OF VISION: Chronicles II: Heaven

After dropping their full-length debut in 2002 with No Pads, No Helmets … Just Balls, the Canucks quickly gained a reputation for being leaders of the pop-punk scene, racking up countless accolades and selling out shows all over the globe.

In the years that followed, they released four more LPs, keeping themselves in the mainstream with some poppier offerings. There were some wins (see: Jet Lag and Summer Paradise) and some missteps (lest we forget their song with Nelly, sorry if you’re a fan). Now, on their sixth record, the band has celebrated the sound that gave them their big break. Breathe a sigh of relief if you’re an OG Simple Plan fan; Harder Than It Looks is here to take you back.

Simple Plan has put their faith in the tried and true. Ultimately, Harder Than It Looks is unlikely to make fans out of long-time loathers of the band, but it will reward faithful listeners with a nostalgic dose of pop-punk.

Despite growing up, Simple Plan has proven a bit of teen angst is always in style. And they’ve set this to a soundtrack of bouncy pop-punk beats. There are a couple of curveballs in the form of Anxiety and Iconic, and surprises in their long-awaited collaboration with Deryck Whibley of Sum 41 on Ruin My Life. But the hallmarks of the band’s sound have stuck around in a big way, namely the anthemic choruses, the whiny vocals (you know you love them), heart-on-the-sleeve lyrics and sunshine-bright melodies. Simple Plan has put their faith in the tried and true. Ultimately, Harder Than It Looks is unlikely to make fans out of long-time loathers of the band, but it will reward faithful listeners with a nostalgic dose of pop-punk.  

STICK THIS NEXT TO: Avril Lavigne, MOD SUN, blink-182
STANDOUT TRACKS: Wake Me Up (When This Nightmares Over), Ruin My Life (Ft. Deryck Whibley), Two