David M Rangel / March 24, 2026 / Reviews
Spoiler alert: This is an exceptional record and highly recommended on so many levels. The early aughts were loaded with bands who had an often sunny, but in-your-face musical delivery, incorporating and mixing elements of pop-punk, emo and alternative rock. Along with bands like The All-American Rejects and All Time Low, The Academy Is … were consistently viewed as top-tier staples of this type of music and helped define what many considered to be “the sound“ of 2000-2009.
It’s been almost two decades since The Academy Is … has released a record. Bands making comebacks after hiatuses of this length often return with mediocre or weaker material in an attempt to replicate past glories, or a sound that is so changed that the only thing familiar about the band is its name. Few and far between are those bands who come back with material that’s as good as or better than stuff they put out in their heyday. But TAI has accomplished this feat in a seemingly effortless manner with their upcoming full-length, Almost There. It’s a record that looks back at a youthful past through the lens of now middle-aged men. But rather than being just a typical nostalgia trip, the songs relive that past with a modern sense of reflection and nonchalant ease, with a sureness in their musical delivery. The dreamy, summer-flavored songs breeze along like old treasured photos flashing in your mind as you take them in with a present day context.
The album is kicked off with “Up In The Air”, a majestic song that seems to slowly lead the listener into a dream before picking up tempo and pulling them into a Y2K guitar sound, by way of 2026. Singer William Beckett has one of those rare voices that gets better and more distinctive with age and is accentuated with a strong backing band.
On a record that contains a number of songs that could be singles material, “2005” was pre-released in January. The instruments sound like the song’s title with a guitar sound that warmly shimmers, sparkles and evokes feelings that remind the listener of a time in their life when so many things were new, and anything seemed doable if you could dream it. The song is an observation through the eyes of an adult who doesn’t necessarily want to be 20 again, but is taking a moment to remember who they were then and appreciating what they are now. It’s one of those songs with the perfect amount of pop sheen that begs to be blasted with car windows down. If the track doesn’t transport you back to somewhere, you might not have a heart.
Though not typically described as such, there are elements of “power pop” in some of TAI’s songs that could legitimately stand tall beside Cheap Trick, The Posies and other prominent purveyors of that sound. The guitars may not be as distorted as those bands, but the hooks are there. “Miracle” is a punchy song with a two line hook that sounds like the aural equivalent of a cake made by a world class baker. The band retain their sense of urgency when delivering the music, but with a more controlled pace that only comes with experience in both music and life.
“Snow Days” is another mid-record banger that subtly keeps the momentum going. Arguably, the most affecting song on the record, it is likely to be the favorite of many. When Beckett sings “On top of the world / you and I / I know it’s not the end / oh I miss you friend”, we go back to a time of innocence of which we all have our own version. His voice is at its best on the album as he recalls the drifting away of a friend who doesn’t get back to him. What sounds upbeat and bright, is in fact, sad.
“Freak Out” is a chilled track that contradicts its title. The vibe is one of cruising around on an inexplicably quiet, hazy day in any large city. The component of soul present is almost like a cooler, more hip Justin Timberlake. And let’s just say a band must be doing something right if even their one minute and 21 second instrumental sucks you in as “Floating Through Time” does. “Ten Years” is a track that for reasons you can’t put a finger on, just sounds like a natural ending to a record that contains mostly songs that could be good singles. The song rings out like a summation of a band who are back with a slightly older but wiser mindset that shows who they are now.
The Academy Is … has returned after 18 years and the only indication of time passing are the song’s points of view and the band’s more controlled, confident instrumentation. They’ve presented a record that captures all the best aspects of a certain time in music, without sounding stale or dated. Their style of shimmering pop will likely appeal to mainstream radio listeners, as well as lovers of off-the-beaten-path indie music. Their mastery of emotionally expressive lyrics, and music will likely have some people longing for a time they used to know, and others longing for a time they have never known.
The album is out this Friday, March 27th, on I Surrender Records. Listen to the pre-released tracks here.
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