“Saviors”- Green Day Album Review

Green Day marketed "Saviors" by claiming it was the follow-up to “Dookie” and “American Idiot.” This high praise may have dampened a solid effort by the aging punk rock trio.

The band went as far as to reunite with the producer of those hit albums Rob Cavallo, who hasn’t worked with Green Day in almost a decade. Cavaloo seemingly led the way for a return to form in the band’s 14th studio album.

“Saviors” presents a variety of rock and slower songs in which Green Day didn’t try to modernize as they have in recent years, and instead put their soul into rock music, leaving it unfiltered and not over-produced.

The album sounds more like a follow-up to “21st Century Breakdown" and “Revolution Radio," both in sound and subject. Luckily, “Saviors” perfects this style of Green Day, leaning more towards classic rock over punk, while also throwing in cuts reminiscent of multiple Green Day records throughout.

The controversial “The American Dream is Killing Me,” for example, sounds like it was made in the “Warning” era while attempting to revive the feelings flexed throughout “American Idiot.”

The fiery track sees a low point for the album, as it seems to be a dating attention grab compared to the later tracks.

A few tracks could become dated but in the current time come across as modern classics with genuine feelings behind them.

“Living in the 20s” is the clearest representation, addressing Billie Joe Armstrong’s concern for the near future and rapid world advancements such as AI.

“Strange Days Are Here To Stay” serves as a base-level sister track to the prior, but instead discusses music’s fleeting culture since the passing of David Bowie.

The title track “Saviors” closes out the power struggle by sarcastically calling out politicians and influencers for seeing themselves above everyone around them. However, a bit of hypocrisy crawls in the verses where they claim “we are the last of the rockers making a commotion” portraying Green Day as the “Saviors” of rock and roll.

Two tracks stand out for Armstrong speaking about his personal life.

On “Bobby Sox,” he speaks to his bisexuality for the first time in a heavy, contemplative rock barrage.

“Dilemma” gives a follow up to “Still Breathing” addressing Armstrong’s fear of another alcohol relapse.

These personal tracks come to a close with the ballad-anthem “Father To A Son.” Armstrong pours his heart out to his potential son on the track, building from a piano track to an edgy-rock closing in the album’s magnum opus.

With all the heavy subjects, the track that shines the most is the bouncy rock track “One Eyed Bastard.”

The opening riff sounds familiar to an old pop song and the remainder of the song is the band having fun, filled with sing-along moments and a signature Green Day instrumental.

All of these subjects combine to paint a picture of where Green Day is today, and the transparency is refreshing after multiple efforts intended to push the mainstream.

“Saviors” proves that sometimes music needs to take a step back in order to take a step up.

Rating: 7/10

Favorite Tracks: “One Eyed Bastard,” “Father To A Son,” “Saviors,” “Goodnight Adeline,” “Dilemma”

Least Favorite Tracks: “Bobby Sox” “Fancy Sauce,” “1981”

Evan Smith is a third year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ers5828@psu.edu.