REVIEW: Career Day Release Their Astonishing and Fresh LP, "Where We've Always Been"
For those who might know me, you are well aware of the joy I feel when discovering new music, especially when the new discoveries become an addition to my favorites playlist. Today is no exception to this joyous moment, all thanks to the new Career Day LP titled “Where We’ve Always Been.” Career Day, a New York City emo-punk band who released their EP “Pride Was Somewhere Else” on New Years 2021, has spent the past year and a half growing as a band and sharing their authentic selves. Their debut EP, which consisted of three songs, was a rich introduction to the band, and their newest release is no different, showing us new aspects of the band and making them one of our new favorite bands.
The new LP is made up of a total of 10 songs, including the previously released singles “No Problem” and “A New Title”. The album opens up with “Views From the 516,” a demonstration of the separation of class as shown by the upkeep, or lack of upkeep, in the environments different classes are exposed to. If there is one thing that Career Day shows is, there is no excuse to not speak up about what you think is wrong, or show up for what you believe in. The song opens up the album with an early emo-punk melody, the melody matching the words and meaning perfectly. Following this song and a previously released single is “It Never Ends”, another Career Day signature melody in the background of the song, which calls out a never ending cycle of a new generation. Career Day makes their stance clear with their music, establishing their beliefs as many do, what could possibly be more punk than that
The fifth song on the album, following two new releases and two singles, is “Opposite Way”, a more personal song regarding the feelings following seeing someone after a falling out, a relatable song for almost all of us. Moving onto the next song in the album, “If Only”, a more fast-paced melody, matching the personal level of “Opposite Way”, tells the story of grief in all its forms, a holistic sense of wanting to relieve someone of the hold of grief. Similar to the following song in the album, “Enough Pictures of You”, both songs discuss the emotion following grief. They both emphasize the concept that the emotions and thoughts that come with grief are normal and necessary for the healing process. '
“Party’s Over” is a different melody than the rest of the album, yet Career Day still makes their stance on many aspects of society very clear. “Party’s Over” is about, to put it simply, not celebrating a country that has never celebrated you, or made efforts to acknowledge you, it is the anthem of minorities in the country who see people like them be neglected, ignored, and in many cases, painted as villains.'
In a completely different approach, Career Day introduces “Thanks for Listening”, a completely different melody and image for the band. “Thanks for Listening” is another anthem for those who don’t feel like they're being heard, but continue to be hopeful. This song shows a large variety of the range that Career Day has, introducing personal lyrics into their music without having them all be mellow or the same as the rest of their songs. The album concludes with “21000 Questions”, an emo-punk melody to the ode to the subtle hints of love when you’re in a relationship. An amazing and totally suiting way to close the album!
