REVIEW: Nickelback - Everything Under The Sun
There is no denying that NICKELBACK have carved out their own place in rock history, becoming one of the defining names of modern mainstream rock. With Everything Under The Sun, the band explore a familiar blend of hard-hitting riffs, infectious hooks and arena-ready anthems. Even if you’re unfamiliar with their extensive back catalogue, chances are you’ll recognise them from the countless internet memes inspired by their iconic hit Photograph or the age-old debate over whether the band are a love them or hate them affair, much like Marmite. However, memes and divided opinions aside, one thing is undeniable, NICKELBACK know how to draw a crowd.
Kicking things off with Rattle The Cage featuring JOHN 5, NICKELBACK waste absolutely no time in making their intentions clear. One of the heaviest tracks the band have released, delivering a track that feels far more aggressive than some of the band’s more radio friendly material. As an opening statement, it certainly raises expectations for what is to follow. Moving into Bones For The Crows, things settle into more familiar NICKELBACK territory. There is a laid-back groove running throughout the track, with the band’s signature melodic sensibilities taking centre stage. However, a shredding guitar passage cuts through the relaxed atmosphere, injecting some extra energy without disrupting the song’s easy going feel. It is a solid example of how the band can balance their heavier instincts with the more accessible sound that has kept them popular for so long.
I Already Know delivering the kind of feel good rock song that would not sound out of place during a romantic comedy montage or while cruising down Route 66 with the roof down. There is an undeniable sense of freedom running through the track, while CHAD KROEGER’s vocals shine against instrumentation. Country influences come to the forefront on Leave Me Behind, where the instrumentation brings a rootsier flavour to proceedings. However, this is still very much a power ballad at heart. Unfortunately, If I Don’t Go struggles to leave quite the same impression. While it fits comfortably within the album’s overall sound, it feels somewhat overshadowed by the stronger material surrounding it. It is not necessarily a bad song, but it lacks the distinctive hooks or standout moments needed to make it truly memorable. In a collection that offers plenty of variety, it comes across as something of a filler track.
Thankfully, Make Me Love You brings things back into focus. This is the sort of power ballad that practically demands to be belted out, whether you are singing along in the shower or driving through torrential rain with the volume turned all the way up. It has that familiar NICKELBACK knack for combining heartfelt melodies with a chorus designed to stick in your head long after the song has finished. For those who prefer their NICKELBACK firmly rooted in the world of classic dad rock, Chasin’ Famous is likely to be a highlight. It recalls the sound of the band's hugely successful 2005 album All The Right Reasons, bringing back the kind of familiar rock that helped establish their legendary status. There is a reassuring familiarity to the track, making it feel like a throwback to an era when NICKELBACK seemed to dominate every rock radio station going.
Simple Song gives the atmosphere that practically invites an arena full of fans to raise their phone torches or lighter flames and sway along. It is built around that communal, singalong quality that has become such a staple of the band's songwriting, providing another moment where melody takes priority over sheer heaviness. The country-inspired sound returns with Technicolor Steamboat, an atmospheric, that feels perfectly suited to an outdoor gathering with blankets around, huddled around a campfire. Rather than relying on crushing riffs or oversized choruses, it embraces a more stripped-back approach, allowing the atmosphere to do much of the work.
Meanwhile, Bottled Dreams slows things down further, with a mood that would feel right at home playing through the speakers of a dimly lit dive bar. Closing out this collection of songs, Last Night Was Fun leans further towards the pop side of NICKELBACK's sound. The production and background mixing gave it a radio feel, making it one of the more accessible moments on the record. It is an appropriate way to round things off, reinforcing the band's ability to move between rock, pop and country influences while maintaining their recognisable sound.
Everything Under The Sun offers a varied collection that showcases several sides of NICKELBACK. From the bruising opener to acoustic warmth, and the singalong appeal, there is plenty here for longtime fans to get stuck into. NICKELBACK may be forever associated with the dad rock era, but Everything Under The Sun shows that there is more to their sound than simply recycling the past. By balancing heavier moments with melodic rockers and country inspired detours, they deliver an album that should appeal to both longtime devotees and listeners looking for something to soundtrack their next long drive.
Score: 7/10
Everything Under The Sun will be released on 30th October 2026 via Virgin Music Group.
Words: Ciara Hicks-Evans
Photos: Lindsay Siu
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