Southern California’s Bad Cop/Bad Cop return with Lighten Up, their fourth full-length album and a bold new chapter for the band, out now on Fat Wreck Chords. Over eleven tracks, they channel the harmony-rich, high-energy punk that made their name while diving even deeper into themes of resilience, loss, and self-discovery.
Recorded at Long Beach’s Compound Studio with producer Antoine Arvizu, Lighten Up captures a band confidently expanding their sound without losing the grit that defines them. From the first punch of “All Together Now” through to the closing notes of “Johnny Appleseed,” the album balances razor-sharp hooks with a lyrical honesty that hits hard.
Standouts like “Strugglinh” and “Straight Out of Detox” tackle personal struggle and recovery with unflinching clarity, while “See Me Now” and “Dead Friends” wrestle with grief and memory, transforming pain into soaring, defiant choruses. “Note to Self” and “Human Is Human” carry a quiet optimism beneath their melodic bite, reminding listeners of the shared strength that runs through the record.
Musically, the band sharpen their trademark blend of three-part vocal harmonies and driving punk rhythms. There’s a richness in the arrangements—dynamic guitar work, bass lines that pulse with urgency, and drums that keep every track locked in and charging forward. It’s a record that embraces growth and complexity without ever letting go of its punk heart.
Lighten Up is more than a collection of songs; it’s a testament to Bad Cop/Bad Cop’s journey as artists and as people. It proves that punk can be both unflinchingly honest and relentlessly catchy—a soundtrack for fighting through the dark and celebrating the light.
