Plenty has taken place in the Man Overboard camp as of late. In the fourteen months since debut full length Real Talk was released, the New Jersey outfit experienced line-up changes, signed a deal with major record label Rise Records, and toured with some of the most recognisable bands in the genre (New Found Glory, The Wonder Years, Fireworks) at home and abroad. Despite these undoubtedly influential developments, Man Overboard’s latest self-titled release thankfully hasn’t steered the band’s sound off track to any kind of unfamiliar territory.

Lyrically, the twelve track record is considerably more mature, but like previous material the subject matter is still based on relationships and girls. In combination with this, Man Overboard haven’t lost their ability to write memorable songs. The catchy tracks are as captivating as ever to ensure sing-a-longs become second nature. Opening track “Rare” sports a distinctive pop-punk drum beat which is a clear indication that Man Overboard hasn’t greatly changed and therefore gives peace of mind to their hoards of fans. Both “Rare” and “Something’s Weird” are hard-hitting and reminiscent of older Blink-182 and New Found Glory whose chief lyricist Steve Klein produced the record.

The duel vocal duties of Nik Bruzzese and Zac Eiesenstein still work superbly. In tracks such as “Voted Most Likely” and “Picture Perfect,” the call-and-response style used is typical of 2010’s Real Talk. Lyrics used in the first the two tracks, “I try to understand / how you could be so normal / and I could be so awkward” present themes that most teens would easily relate to (or so Tumblr tells me). Opening with gang vocals, the first two lines of “Dead End Dreams” detail the catchy, girl-focused subject that Man Overboard consistently master – in just six seconds in this case. 

The catchiest of tracks, however, are embedded in the second half of the album in “Punishment,” “Headstone,” and “Night Feelings.” “Headstone” shows off a string of infectious gang vocals, while the latter is one of the most passionate and dominant tracks on the album and features a chorus which is cemented in the mind with a single listen.

Closing track “Atlas” is not your typical Man Overboard track. It almost goes against everything I’ve said about the band’s lack of change since Real Talk. Although not drastically different to the last full length, the song breaks the mould. It’s vocally weighted by Eiesenstein, doesn’t mention girls, relationships, or break ups, and is lyrically repetitive. However, “Atlas” is one of the highlights on the thirty-four minute long album. The tune is a reflection of life which again can be related to by many. Eiesenstein sings, “I stare out of my window / And I look at my neighbors / And take notes on being normal” and “Maybe I’ll learn how to talk to people”. It wouldn’t be a Man Overboard record without a reference to weed, and so, “I could talk and be nice / or light up a joint” is included.

Man Overboard have stayed accurate to how we’ve always regarded them, continuing to defend pop punk the way they know best. With a more polished sound, matured lyrics, and the same formula used, the five-piece has presented an album which old and new fans should be equally thrilled with.