We are nineteen days into 2024, and it seems fate (or my undying search for new music) has thrown a brand new album into my lap, destined to be the soundtrack of my life for the next six months (sorry, friends). bad new world, yes, styled like this, is a name that rolls off the tongue and is the new side-project of Nick Casasanto, whose name is familiar to many due to his role as the rhythmic guitarist in the band Knuckle Puck and also happens to be the genius behind the new self-titled album bad new world. During six songs and 18 minutes, it’s hard not to be captivated by Casasanto’s songwriting skills and overall pleasant vocal range.
Kicking off the bad new world album with a punch, ‘culture violence’ emerges as the inaugural track, wielding subtly distorted guitar riffs and infectious lyrics. Transitioning into ‘archer,’ we’re treated to a delightful guitar ballad that induces swoons and showcases peak songwriting. ‘shade’ brings a nostalgic echo of Knuckle Puck’s ’20/20,’ specifically in its instrumental delivery, intertwining reminiscent sounds.
‘simmer’ unfolds with gentle vocals, lulling the listener until a climactic turn at the end, where the instruments crank up, delivering a surge of frustration during the poignant line, “Are you ready to simmer down?” — a moment where the shivers down my spine were very noticeable. As the album nears its close, ’empty’ presents as a tender guitar ballad until a pivotal 1:50-minute mark. Synths are infused in the song, adding another emotional layer.
Across these six tracks, bad new world takes us on a rollercoaster of highs and lows. From the anthemic’ culture violence,’ rallying with the empowering mantra “you won’t divide us, we’re culture violence,” to the more poignant moments like “I’m caught up in your glare / enough to be aware / that life can be unfair / but not for long, cause I don’t want to feel empty,” from ’empty’ the album displays a spectrum of emotions within the realm of pop-punk.
In kicking off my first review of the year, I pondered if these album-induced feelings would fade. Yet, after some intense listening, often accompanied by a glass of wine, I can confidently say that the bad new world, album, and artist are here to stay in my life. And despite Nick Casasanto’s well-traveled pop-punk adventure, it can be like rolling the dice when you venture into side projects. However, Casasanto firmly proves that he isn’t “just” the guy from Knuckle Puck, but he is much more. Here he is, with complete creative control, that shows that spending years on a project can produce something beautiful.
bad new world didn’t play it safe on the album, but they did bring back that sweet nostalgia I’ve been missing, all while keeping things modern. Bravo, Casasanto; the next round of beers is on me.
This well-crafted album has the magical power to whisk me away to the reminiscent vibes of Jack’s Mannequin, Yellowcard, and The Starting Line. If these names ring a bell, you should listen to bad new world and let them become your new favorite band.
