Fall is always a busy time for bands. September and October are popular months to release albums, and groups often follow releases with a tour. This fall has been noteworthy for the pop-punk scene, with many big names releasing new albums.

Australian group Stand Atlantic has been a unique voice in the pop-punk scene since their first EP, “Sidewinder,” was released in 2017. Vocalist Bonnie Fraser has commanded the group with her gritty and intense voice, and they’ve had nothing but hits. Following the release of their album “f.e.a.r.” in 2022, the group has now come out with their latest album, “WAS HERE.”

This album does not hold up to the beauty of “f.e.a.r.” The 2022 album is objectively their best work and arguably one of the best pop-punk albums ever released. It’s a tough act to follow, but “WAS HERE” doesn’t even come close. It’s an odd, eclectic mix of songs that don’t follow Stand Atlantic’s original sound. It leans closer to nu metal or rap in some areas, then switches to a pop ballad — it’s strange to listen to.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t any good tracks on the album, but it is simply not the same as the band’s previous work. Many fans are disappointed, saying the new sound is not just different, but objectively bad. Whatever the case, most listeners are hoping Stand Atlantic will return to the sound that made them stand out.

Boston Manor have gone through a heavy evolution since their breakout album in 2016, “Be Nothing.” Their music has transitioned largely into alternative rock, but they have still made a mark on the pop-punk scene. Their newest album, “Sundiver,” serves as the second part to an overarching project. Their previous album, “Datura,” tells the story of a narrator who spirals out of control on an eventful night out; “Sundiver” details the morning after.

“Sundiver” is a good representation of what Boston Manor wants to be. It’s clear they have moved on from pop-punk and are more focused on telling tales through dark, alternative rock. Both this album and “Datura” connect together well, telling a depressing story from the perspective of a man losing control of his life. It’s a strange yet gripping listen.

That being said, the album has nowhere near the same punch as the band’s earlier work, particularly “Be Nothing.” It’s difficult to top hard-hitting tracks like “Laika” and “Lead Feet,” but the band is working their way there. Tracks like “Container” and “HEAT ME UP” make “Sundiver” worth a listen.

British rock group Trash Boat recently dealt with unexplained circumstances that led them to cancel their upcoming United States tour, leaving fans disappointed. Their style has changed from definitively pop-punk to something more gritty than their peers, especially with the release of “Don’t You Feel Amazing?” in 2021 — something that’s made a lot of pop-punk fans angry. Now, they’ve regained their chance to prove themselves in their newest release, “Heaven Can Wait.”

“Don’t You Feel Amazing?” was a drastic change in the band’s sound, but it was a good one. The band took influences from artists like Linkin Park, making it their own in a unique group of songs that stood out among their discography. Many of the tracks are strong and very catchy. Their newest album, “Heaven Can Wait,” is also a change — but it’s not as good of a change as before.

Don’t be mistaken: vocalist Tobi Duncan sounds the best he ever has. His melodies are clean, and he has clearly trained in metal screaming since their last release. However, the fault in “Heaven Can Wait” lies in how unmemorable it is. The songs are not as catchy as the songs in their previous releases, and the lyrics seem less inspired. It’s a disappointing release for fans who have waited for more music for over three years.

It’s also annoyingly short. The album mostly consists of songs that the band has already released many months — or in some cases, over a year — in advance. This means that the album only had five new songs to offer fans, one of which was only a minute long. After years of waiting for new music and then having the band cancel their United States tour, it has been a roller coaster for fans.

The recent rise in bands abandoning their pop-punk sound is a strange phenomenon that has left many unhappy. It seems to coincide with the recent rise in alternative pop artists and experimental electronic music. Hopefully, that means this divergence is just a trend, and bands will turn back to making the sounds that fans once loved to hear.

This article appeared in print on Page 7 of Vol. LVIII Issue VI, published Nov. 4, 2024.