Written by Megan Langley
The Ottawa, Canada-based band We Were Sharks have been apart of the pop-punk and easycore scene since forming in 2011 and debuting in 2012, and the band has three full-length albums under their belt already. 2021 not only marks a decade of We Were Sharks’ career, but also brings the release of their highly anticipated fourth LP, titled “New Low.”
The album kicks off with two of its singles, “Shameless” and “Bring Me Down,” and these two songs quickly set the stage for the rest of the record. The former of these two instantly brings a carefree attitude, while the latter serves as an outlet for frustration towards someone who has consistently treated you [the listener] poorly, and both of these songs display the band’s prominent pop-punk influences and start off the record on a very strong note.
“Problems” is where the sound switches up a tiny bit, as it teeters on the edge of alternative rock rather than being strictly pop-punk. This hints at the experimentation the band does with their sound on this record, and from start to finish, it contains captivating hooks and guitar riffs.
“Over This” follows this up, and it’s one of the most memorable tracks on the entire record. This song contains unforgettable melodies and instrumentals that have made me return to it countless times since its initial release, and it’s an irresistible pop rock track overall.
The title track, “New Low,” wraps up the first half of this record and much like the previous track, it’s another one of the catchiest songs on the whole album.
The back half of the record begins with “Burning House,” which slows things down for a few minutes, while the track it precedes, “Ashley (Pt. 2),” picks the pace right back up and is arguably the most energetic track on the whole record.
This song acts as a sequel to another We Were Sharks song called “Ashley,” which appeared on the band’s previous album, 2018’s “Lost Touch,” and it’s extremely similar to that track because of its catchy melodies and fast-paced instrumentation.
“Golden” traces back to the alternative rock-tinged sound heard on earlier tracks like “Problems” and delivers more indelible melodies through another fascinating vocal performance, and the final two tracks, “Omens” and “Ready To Go,” bring a full-circle moment to the record and close it out by showcasing the pop-punk influences found within the first two tracks of this record.
“New Low” consists of ten extremely enjoyable tracks, and the record as a whole is a fantastic album that I’ll be coming back to time and time again in the future.
You can keep up with the band on Twitter @weweresharks, and buy merch from their MerchNow, and if you’ve checked the album out, then be sure to let us know what you think by tweeting us @lgndsoftmrw!
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