Coming-of-age movie soundtracks were definitive of music tastes for the masses, and Forever On High has encapsulated this energy with their latest single, “Brand New Low (ft. We The Kings.” This high-energy, climactic banger is reminiscent of songs one might have discovered from Jennifer’s Body or Bring It On. There is a specific subgenre within pop-punk that sounds cinematic, and “Brand New Low (ft. We The Kings)” fits these descriptors like a fingerless glove.

The guitars in the mix are loud, but not overpowering, allowing the song’s messaging to shine through. The track is pleasantly optimistic, stating “we’re about to hit a brand new low/makes me want to let go.”

This line, while a bit sarcastic, insinuates that you can make the best out of a difficult situation if you put your mind to it. Pop-punk has always been snarkily optimistic; there’s a glimmer of light in each singer’s eye, as they use sarcasm to cover their soft side.

Enlisting We The Kings for a bold guest feature was the perfect move for this single. It adds layers of depth, and sentimentality, for everyone who grew up listening to the genre.

Overall, this single paves the way for a full body of work nicely, hopefully filling out empty spaces in an album tracklist eventually.