Alt rock favorites Yellowcard are celebrating the release of their new album in almost a decade “Better Days” out today, October 10th via Better Noise Music. The lead single and title track “Better Days” brought the band’s return back in a huge way, scoring them their first ever number one on alternative radio, twenty two years after their first radio appearance ending the longest wait for a first leader at the format. This highly anticipated album is executive produced by Travis Barker who also plays drums on every song.
The single “Better Days” is an unflinching reflection on gratitude, forgiveness, perspective, and purpose. Once ubiquitous on MTV and the Billboard Hot 100, the Vans Warped Tour veterans, whose first two albums produced double-platinum and gold title tracks, sound fully recharged and revitalized in 2025. William Ryan Key, Sean Mackin, Ryan Mendez, and Josh Portman have never sounded stronger.
The newest lyric video from the album for the song called “You Broke Me Too“ featuring Avril Lavigne. Of the song Lavigne says, “ My friend Travis Barker called me up to say he was producing the new Yellowcard album and I really liked what I heard. When he played me You Broke Me Too I liked how it can be an anthem people can relate to when finding hope after a relationship.”
Lead singer Ryan Key was thrilled to have Lavigne be part of this album and this single. He says of the collaboration “As with so many unbelievable things happening for the band these days, having Avril Lavigne be part of our new music is incredible. Her vocal performance combined with the classic Yellowcard feel of this song is truly a sonic time machine.”
The band agreed that making a new album was pointless unless it was the best of their career. They refused to rush the process and for the first time gave themselves permission to ask for help. Ryan Mendez invited his long time friend Nick Long into the writing sessions and it was through Long that Barker became part of the project, coming on board to play drums and produce the whole album.
Barker says of the project “Sometimes the world has a wild way of putting things into place. Neither of us had planned on working together, but once we got in the studio, the magic was undeniable. I had just finished the Blink album and was excited to dive into producing another record front to back. Working with Yellowcard was a pleasure, and seeing them land their first number one is incredible. I couldn’t be happier for them.”
“I started the record as one version of myself and came out the other side changed,” says front man Ryan Key who credits Barker with a significant impact on his personal and creative studio breakthroughs. “I went in knowing I needed help. I came out of it writing songs like I was 19 again.”
While Yellowcard are in Las Vegas to play When We Were Young Festival, you can also find the band at Zia Records (Eastern Ave location) for an Album In-Store Signing and at Punk Rock Museum for their Pop-Up Exhibit and Better Days Album Party – both on Friday, October 17th!
“Better Days” will be available as exclusive merch bundles on the Better Noise Music label store
The band is rounding out their year by completing their hugely successful Maximum Fun Tour with A Day To Remember that concludes November 14th in their home state of Florida.
Formed in Jacksonville FL in 1997, Yellowcard became one of the most influential bands in the 2000’s alternative rock scene. Known for blending high energy pop punk with a signature violin twist, their 2003 breakthrough “Ocean Avenue” is certified Platinum with the title track now certified 2 times platinum. With over 4 million albums sold worldwide and over 1 billion streams, the band is poised for continued success on this new endeavor. After disbanding in 2017, Yellowcard reunited in 2022 entering into a new creative era and a year packed with a global tour to support it.
“BETTER DAYS” TRACK LIST
1. Better Days
2. Take What You Want
3. Love Letters Lost (feat. Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio)
4. honestly i
5. You Broke Me Too (feat. Avril Lavigne)
6. City of Angels
7. Bedroom Posters
8. Skin Scraped
9. Barely Alive
10. Big Blue Eyes