by Ally Arens
On July 19, alternative pop-rock duo Negative 25 released their full-length album XOXON25 out into the internet void, and this is truly not an album to be missed. Featuring brothers Brett and Bradley Anderson, the Nashville-based duo formed in 2020 and have been on the rise ever since, opening for acts such as the Plain White T’s and Weathers and amassing over 190,000 monthly Spotify listeners.
Featuring a massive 24 tracks and boasting a runtime of just over an hour, XOXON25 is a culmination of the duo’s career thus far. The album features all of their previously released music alongside six new compositions (three intro/interlude tracks and three full songs) and serves as an excellent entry point for new listeners while also offering something new for those who have been around a bit longer.
I am a recent Negative 25 discoverer myself, having only begun to dive into their discography after learning that they would be supporting one of my all-time favorite singers, Mothica, for a portion of her upcoming fall U.S. tour. Negative 25’s music is perfect for anyone who loves the heart and emotion of emo/pop-punk music, but also really likes to have fun and dance.
After listening to XOXON25, I definitely think that their self-descriptor of making “pop music for emo kids” is extremely accurate. In my personal opinion, their sound evokes similarities to some of the late 2000s/early 2010s Warped Tour pop-rock artists such as Cobra Starship, 3OH!3, and Metro Station (minus the tinges of lyrical misogyny of the time) alongside a hint of inspiration from more modern acts such as Waterparks, while crafting a sound that is uniquely their own.
XOXON25 is an all-around fun album while also touching on some heavy lyrical themes at times, such as mental illness, toxic relationships, and impostor syndrome.
Speaking on the album in its press release, frontman and guitarist Brett Anderson said, “First and foremost, we want our fans to know that they are not alone. We hope our music normalizes feelings of self-doubt and reminds people that at the end of the day, our biggest critic is usually ourselves.” Brett adds when reflecting on the album’s intent, “Thematically these songs range from a crippling lack of confidence to inflated bravado, and I think everyone can relate to those sentiments.”
Of the new tracks, “Supernova” and “ALL WE GET NOW” are definitely the standouts. The former is extremely fun and dance-able, while the latter is a more stripped-back acoustic-driven number. Other noteworthy picks include “LIGHTS OFF,” “Afterlife?!,” “Sad Boy Summer,” Thank You My Depression,” “DO YOU SEE GOOD IN ME?," and “OVER AGAIN.”
“Sad Boy Summer” and “DO YOU SEE GOOD IN ME?” are where the Waterparks inspirations are most apparent while developing a sound uniquely their own. Both songs are catchy as hell with infectious guitar riffs and vocal runs that would make Awsten Knight jealous, especially the chorus of “DO YOU SEE GOOD IN ME?” "Sad Boy Summer," meanwhile, could easily turn into the dance-pop-punk anthem of 2024.
“Thank You My Depression” is one of the more lyrically scathing entries, serving as a call-out of sorts to those who want to blame a person suffering from depression for their own feelings and telling them things like, “Just eat better and exercise, go make some friends, etc.,” as if either of these things are easy or will instantly serve as a cure for a mental illness that absolutely does not have a one-size-fits-all treatment method.
The album also touches on themes of relationship toxicity and being able to recognize when it might be time to let things end. This most notably occurs on the aforementioned “Sad Boy Summer”, where one of the chorus lyrics is “If I had to choose between lonely and you, I think I’d block your number,” as well as on the late album track “OVER AGAIN.” While "SBS" is focused on the willingness to leave, “OVER AGAIN” is centered around the initial realization that the relationship may be falling apart, and questioning whether things should continue. Near the end, the narrator sings, “Should we let it end? We’re barely friends. I’m kinda sick of it,” implying that they hesitated to break things off before in fear of ruining what they had before, but in turn, the relationship has slowly eroded to the point that neither of them are happy, so they’re reconsidering things.
Overall, XOXON25 is a worthy listen for any fans of emo-tinged pop rock, and I am excited to see what Negative 25 has in store for the future. They will be on the road supporting Mothica in a few cities throughout the United States this November, and hopefully much more will follow!
Negative 25 supporting Mothica (Tickets can be found here):
Sat-Nov-09 ATLANTA, GA - Masquerade Purgatory
Mon-Nov-11 COLUMBUS, OH - A&R Bar
Wed-Nov-13 BOSTON, MA - The Sinclair
Thu-Nov-14 PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Foundry at The Fillmore
Fri-Nov-15 WASHINGTON, DC - Songbyrd
Sun-Nov-17 NEW YORK, NY - Gramercy Theater
Wed-Nov-20 FERNDALE, MI - The Loving Touch
Fri-Nov-22 CHICAGO, IL - Bottom Lounge
Sat-Nov-23 ST LOUIS, MO - Delmar Hall
Sun-Nov-24 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - Beer City Music Hall
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