Weezer fans had been theorizing about the band adding a yellow album to their collection of signature color records. On Aug. 21, fans were given something even better, the “Gold Album.”
The “Gold Album” is actually self titled, “Weezer,” but the band and fans still refer to it as the “Gold Album.” According to Pitchfork, this album was written and produced by the members of Weezer along with outside collaborators. The various collaborators added some unique variety that is not seen on many other albums by the band. The “Gold Album” has a very summery, punk feel. It encapsulates the feeling of jamming out and being connected with people.
The first track, “Say Yes,” is all about jumping into various life experiences. This song is very upbeat and has warm toned bridges.
Keeping up with the vibrant sound is track two, “Shine Again,” which was written by the band’s drummer Patrick Wilson. This song highlights the skills that the band has gained through the years with its awesome guitar riffs. It has an iconic, raw punkish feel that most Weezer songs possess.
“Don’t Make It Weird,” the third track, slows the album down, sounding more like a personal expression from Rivers Cuomo, the band’s vocalist and lead guitarist, who talks about his experiences in everyday interactions with people. This song feels like a “classic” Weezer song.
The album progresses with track four, “We Might as Well Be Strangers (ft. Wednesday).” I personally like this intro a lot as it has a nice groove to it. This song has multiple writers on it and features Karly Hartzman from the band Wednesday. Throughout the song, there is a strong bass line that is very catchy.
Track five is called “C.E.O.” This song is a criticism of the music industry that rewards when ideas are reused and recycled. Weezers last set of albums, SZNZ, were more experimental and sophisticated, but they were seen as a commercial disappointment. However, in 2024, Weezer sold out stadiums for their tour celebrating 30 years of their blue album, illustrating the music industry’s faults.
The sixth track, “Hoops,” has a very unique intro. Cuomo talks a lot about toast and getting a toaster. Their fan base has made many memes already in relation to Cuomo’s toast obsession, as seen on platforms such as Reddit. After the toaster introduction, the song shifts into a vivaciously guitar filled journey.
Track seven is called “Nowhere,” another song written by the band’s drummer, Wilson. “Nowhere” is a cute love song with a much slower tempo and pace compared to the other tracks on this album.
“The Show Must Go On” is track eight. This song was written by three of the band’s members: Cuomo, Wilson, and their backing vocalist/rhythm guitarist Brian Bell. This song feels very popish in its movements until the later half of the song during the breakdown. The breakdown completely changes the whole song’s vibe, taking it from the song the industry wants, to the song Weezer wants.
Track nine is “Up In the Clouds,” a lofty song with an acoustic intro that blends into an easy jam about the feeling of floating. Throughout this daydream there are more iconic guitar riffs and solos.
Ending the album is “The LA Sound,” a song mainly written by Bell. This track showcases the feeling of the whole album and lets each member show off their skills from 33 years of playing. This summertime song also features a barber-shop like outro where all four band members harmonize to round off each of their elements that make Weezer.
Weezer’s 20th album is definitely going to remain as one of their most solid projects that displays their uniqueness and continued knack for song writing and ability to gather people together.
