REVIEW: Mayday Parade - Sugar

There are very few bands from the mid 2000's pop punk and emo scene that have managed to evolve without losing the qualities that made them special in the first place. MAYDAY PARADE have always built their music around honest songwriting, huge melodies and an emotional connection with their audience, and twenty years into their career those strengths remain as clear as ever. After spending the last year releasing Sweet and Sad, Sugar completes the trilogy by bringing together the energy of the first release and the reflection of the second. Rather than feeling like three separate projects, the final chapter ties everything together, showing a band that is still finding new ways to explore their sound while staying true to the identity that has defined them for two decades.

Produced once again by Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount, Sugar sounds polished without losing its heart. Every instrument has room to breathe and every chorus feels carefully crafted, allowing the emotion behind the songs to take centre stage. The record opens with Set Phasers To Bummed, beginning with an unexpected voicemail before leading into a short instrumental. It is an unusual introduction that feels more like setting the scene than trying to immediately grab attention. The transition into Blame It On The Youth is seamless, creating an opening that flows naturally and establishes the bright, melodic direction of the album.

The opening stretch is undeniably enjoyable. The hooks are memorable, the production is clean and there is plenty of energy throughout. However, this is also where the album feels at its safest. While songs like Blame It On The Youth and Sad Sweet Sugar are catchy enough to stay with the listener, they do begin to blend together slightly. There is nothing particularly weak about these tracks, they simply do not offer the same variety that arrives later in the record. It is the only point where Sugar briefly loses some momentum.

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Everything changes with Weekend Music. As the lead single, it immediately stands out thanks to its fresh approach and confident songwriting. The shift in sound gives the album a much needed spark, while the huge chorus and powerful vocal performance make it one of the record's defining moments. It is the type of song that feels built for live shows, encouraging singalongs while still carrying the emotional honesty that has always been at the centre of MAYDAY PARADE'S music.

From this point onwards, Sugar becomes a much stronger and more diverse listening experience. Instead of relying on upbeat choruses throughout, the band allow the album to slow down when it needs to. Lying To Myself is one of the best examples of this. Rather than demanding attention through volume, it creates an atmosphere that gives both the listener and the album space to breathe. It is a reminder that some of the band's strongest moments come through restraint rather than constant energy.

That willingness to vary the pacing continues across the second half. Two Hearts introduces another subtle change in direction, balancing glossy production with a more relaxed performance that still remains instantly memorable. These quieter moments stop the record from becoming repetitive and make the bigger choruses feel even more impactful when they arrive. Songs such as Patriotism Of First Tiger Called Into Question provide exactly that, delivering one of the catchiest moments on the album while showcasing just how consistently strong the production remains from beginning to end.

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One of Sugar's biggest strengths is its pacing. Although the first few songs feel slightly similar, the second half opens the album up considerably, moving confidently between upbeat anthems, reflective moments and emotionally driven songwriting. Every change in mood feels natural, making the album feel like a complete journey rather than simply a collection of songs. That balance between energy and vulnerability has always been one of MAYDAY PARADE'S defining qualities, and it is arguably presented better here than anywhere else across the trilogy.

The closing track, What Happens Next, provides the perfect ending. Opening with a beautiful piano melody before gradually building throughout its runtime, it feels intimate from the very first note. The harmonies are among the strongest on the album, while the emotional lyrics give the song genuine weight without ever feeling forced. As the arrangement grows, so does its impact, creating a finale that feels both satisfying and open ended. It is a fitting conclusion, not only to Sugar, but to the trilogy as a whole. Rather than looking back with nostalgia alone, the song leaves the impression that MAYDAY PARADE still have plenty more to say.

The album is not flawless, the opening section occasionally lacks the variety found later on, but its strongest moments more than make up for that. By the time the closing notes of What Happens Next fade away, Sugar feels like exactly what it was intended to be, the perfect combination of the energy found on Sweet, the reflection of Sad, and a confident statement that this band still has plenty left to offer.

Score: 7/10

Sugar will be released on 24th July 2026 via Many Hats Distribution.

Words: Con McAdam

Photos: Eli Ritter