A reason to believe in pop-punk

Today’s music scene sees green artists somehow pick up major label deals without playing more than a handful of live shows, talent be damned. But new Columbia Records signees Valencia have strongly established themselves over the past three years since the release of their debut, This Could Be A Possibility, as an archetypal pop-punk workhorse. Valencia’s new album, We All Need A Reason To Believe, only further explores the band’s sound in a way that should be received by loads more fans.

Instead of pursuing the completely charted waters of heavy production, Valencia have concocted 11 tracks oozing with raw emotion. Believe is jam-packed with soaring hooks and thumping guitar work without being overly poppy. Not too many of the tracks could rule the radio waves, but repeated listens uncover immensely solid pop-rock ditties that leave the listener wanting more.

As an album opener, “Better Be Prepared” couldn’t be any better. After a quick and quiet intro from vocalist Shane Henderson, the song torpedoes into a monster catchy chorus. Yet the bridge delivers something a smidge different, featuring a noticeably emotional vocal and a simple string section.

Not too deep in, it’s apparent that Believe is best when Valencia manages to teeter betwixt the loud and the soft while delivering constant jolts of optimistic energy. “Where Did You Go?” includes vivacious guitar and drum work throughout while Henderson delivers beaming lyrics like “I get a little down on my self / But when you came around the world felt new / I opened up my eyes to the light / And I saw deep inside of a love that was true.”

And although the album is slightly formulaic in the middle, Valencia maneuvers to keep each track fresh. The last three songs, “I Can’t See Myself,” “The Good Life” and “Free” close Believe in just as strong a fashion as it began.
 
With pop-punk in such a dreadful state, it’s hard to think it can ever pull itself out of this overproduced lull. But Valencia gives us all a reason to believe the genre can be saved.