'Proper Dose' Is Definitely One for the Books for TSSF

Proper Dose is the fourth album by pop punk band The Story So Far released last week on September 21. If you listened to any of the pre released tracks, you had the same thought as most people 'this is going to be different.' Ever since they released Out Of It back in 2017, I have been dying for them to release a new something, anything. They are such a staple to the pop punk community so I knew that they would really deliver with this new album, and they did.

If you're like me, you have also been waiting ages for the band to release new music with their last album being their self titled in 2015. There were rumors that the band may have been breaking up due to them staying out of the limelight. Parker Cannon recently opened up about his past addiction to opioids and lean which explains his aggressive behavior in the past. There was footage that surfaced of him attacking a security guard that hurt a crowd surfer during their set. He did his first sit-down interview Inver five years. I think this album shows how he has overcome that and was able to make a rocking comeback album.

Something the band does really well is their lyrics. Their upbeat sound hides some pretty deep lyrics until you give it a deeper listen. They also have flawless transitions through their tracks from one to the next without having to have any layover track in between.

With the title track "Proper Dose" being listed first, it sets a nice tone for the rest of the album. It's definitely a great track to listen to anytime, I prefer while driving and jamming out in my car. Parker Cannon talks a lot about being stuck in this song and how he doesn't know where his future is. This could be in reference to how he was feeling in the past. It is for sure a hit, especially with the way the climax of the final chords flows perfectly into the next track "Keep This Up" without any pause.

Then there's a breakdown in the middle section of the album with tracks such as "Take Me As You Please," "Let It Go," and "Upside Down." Having a whole slow section is nice because it lets you really listen to Cannon explain so deep feelings. It's a bit slower at times when I want something more upbeat, but I find myself going back to these tracks later for a comedown.

The album finishes off with track 11, "Light Year," which is a great way to wrap it all up. The chorus goes as follows, "How did I get here, feels like a light year. I should have no fear, yet my hands are slick." It's about moving on from that person or negative energy that you don't need. It speaks to letting go of the past and not letting it continue to haunt you. You can become better than you used to be without the old you hanging over your head like a shadow.

Overall, the album is well put together and definitely a great project you should check out from the band. It's a great culmination from acoustics to their harder stuff to the bass solo in Line. From fast paced anthems that make you want to jump into the pit head first to slow songs that will make you want to cry while looking out you car window on a rainy day. If you haven't, give it a listen on Spotify down below and watch their new music video for "Upside Down," listed below as well; I highly recommend both.

"It's all love now." - "Upside Down."