Pop-punk staples Mayday Parade have returned with their latest release, with ‘Sugar’. This marks their third part in their three-part album, in addition to 2025’s ‘Sweet’ and ‘Sad’. The band have once again done what they have done best, put out catchy and endearing songs that show why they’re such a key band to the scene and to the genre for over two decades.

One thing I took away from this album was this band has always mastered the art of a chorus. They know how to make them catchy, hit hard, and make fans come back with repeat listens. Tracks like “Sweet Sad Sugar” and “Lying to Myself” feel like prime examples of exactly that on here. I also really appreciate how they pull from different eras in sound for some of the songs on here. A song like “Two Hearts” feeling like ‘Sunnyland’, or a track like “What Happens Next” feeling like it was straight off their self-titled record. They know exactly how to bring those sounds back in a pretty refined form, and it keeps these songs fresh from both listens I had of it. 

Vocalist Derek Sanders has such a distinguished and iconic voice, and it especially shines on tracks like “Lying to Myself” or “Patriotism of First Tiger Called Into Question”. He feels so natural and in his element on this album, like it feels seamless when he belts out these melodies. Guitarist Alex Garcia I’ve always felt has played a crucial role in this band, really giving such identity to these songs on each album. He really shines on tracks like “So the Story Goes…” and “Weekend Music” to where he feels just as important to the songs as Derek does. I’ve always felt drummer Jake Bundrick has always been one of the most underrated and overlooked drummers in the scene. He brings an energy and a fire to these songs, and this album is no exception to that.

All in all, I think ‘Sugar’ is my favorite of the three of Mayday Parade’s three-part album. They do such a great job mixing all their best eras across ten tracks, and they feel best to be playing in the summer especially. This band continues to do what they do best, and really show why they’re such a veteran in the scene.