Sometimes all it takes is a glimpse of future responsibility to re-ignite the energy and passion that was once there. For the New Jersey indie-punk rockers Banquets, that glimpse came with a planned appearance at Fest 19 back in 2021. After five years of their self-inflicted retirement, the quartet shook off some dust and got back to practicing. And although that performance never came to fruition, the spark was back. Now, four years and eleven songs later, Banquets are set to make their return with their forthcoming fourth LP, Petty Relics.
It’s been a decade since their last album, Spit at the Sun, and a comeback record could have gone in many directions. What stood out to me immediately about Petty Relics is how confident it feels. It’s clear that Banquets, despite being apart this long (quite literally, as they are now scattered across different cities), have picked up their stride right where they left off. You’re met with the familiar Jersey/Philadelphia sound they’ve grown from since the beginning. You hear the punk influences like The Menzingers meshed with a touch of emo from bands like Saves the Day all throughout.
The newness in the album is specific to the lyrics. Themes of self-reflection and the realization of aging while holding on to passions of your younger self. It’s melancholy at times but honest, speaking to the before-and-after experience of a band breakup. Songs like “High-Wire Years” and “Middle School Burnouts” ooze with this introspection.
Lyrics aside, there’s also some exploration into that distinct Jersey post-punk sound made famous by bands like Thursday. “Same Circles” and “Goodbye Before You Go,” back-to-back tracks right in the middle of the album, ease up on the brighter melodies and lean into a denser, slightly darker tone; one that recalls Thursday’s War All the Time. It’s subtle, but it’s a direction I welcome with this comeback LP, adding a new layer to their sound.
Ultimately, Petty Relics is a solid, confident comeback that plants Banquets firmly in the sound they hit pause on a decade ago. It’s a fresh spark but a continuation, not a reinvention, and it’s an LP sure to be loved by old fans and new ones alike.
Petty Relics is out everywhere on October 17th. Listen to the pre-released tracks here.
The Indy Review 