David M Rangel / September 23, 2026 / Review
The concept of “pop“ music seems quite a simple one when you think about it. It’s usually a pretty short, straightforward trip with catchy vocal hooks, versus-chorus structure and very accessible by not taking many musical chances. Some might say it’s such an easily crafted style that it lacks artistic merit. But if one were to dig deeper and remove all the preconceived blanket statements about pop music, it reveals an art that can actually be quite difficult to make stand out in a crowd. There are thousands and thousands of artists in America alone creating this style of music. But for every Taylor Swift, Third Eye Blind and dare I say, Nickleback, there are hundreds more that you will never hear of. These artists could be called the “Ernest Hemingways” of music. What they are doing seems simplistic and straightforward. But if you try to do it, you’ll find that balancing those components of creating an effective, memorable message with ear catching sonics that perfectly capture a spirit can be very difficult. This is usually not anything that can be taught. It’s an innate skill that you either have or you don’t.
The Calling’s Alex Band has had that God-given secret sauce to create perfect pop songs, since he was a teenager. At 15 he wrote one of the most perpetually ubiquitous songs on the planet, “Wherever You Will Go”. Though he had success with songs like “Adrienne” in other parts of the world, he never topped his masterpiece, though he continued to use that songwriting formula that was perfectly honed to the exact specifications to make a sound that was expressly “him”.
It’s been 22 years since The Calling’s last album. The years between then and now have presented myriad life problems for Band, including health scares, lawsuits and a serious physical assault that left him almost dead. Him getting to this point of releasing The Calling’s latest record, Before The World Turns To Dust, could be something close to a miracle. But tenacity, resilience and two trusted bandmates have brought Band back onto the public’s musical radar. His trademark understated low-key verses that soar into choruses that sail up past the rooftops, remain intact. His formula and delivery have changed little and it could be said that this record sounds as 2001 as, well, 2001 (along with a good dose of modern production). Definitely not a bad thing. On the contrary, that period was primetime for bands like The Goo Goo Dolls, Lifehouse, Train and other bands of The Calling’s ilk to leave their anthemic pop mark on the music buying public, a sound which resonates strong to this day.
The first track, “Stand Up Now” wastes no time bringing shimmering excitement that seems as timeless as the stars, and reaches just as high. There’s a sense of familiarity here that sets the tone for the rest of the record. The tried and true pop rock motif sounds as welcoming and fresh as it did in the days of the band’s early records. It’s a comfortable sound that doesn’t try to be anything that it’s not. “Dust” a pre-released single whose chorus practically sweats out vibes of Jennifer Aniston-style romantic comedy soundtracks is just one song among an album‘s worth that could be the hit. The thing with an album like this, is that when you hear a particularly standout song early in the record, you think there won’t be one following that is better, or even at least as good. But this is one of those anomalous recordings that just seems to be packed with nothing but hits.
Even in its sad chord melancholy, “Don’t You Cry” manages to be soulful and uplifting in an almost musically cathartic sort of way. Its three word chorus says more in one phrase than most other artists can say with entire songs. The contemporary sheen that’s put upon all of these songs keeps them feeling relevant in 2026 and not purely just nostalgic. Band’s voice walks that line between power and vulnerability throughout the record and is as comfortable articulating arena rock choruses as it is intimate verses.
There is a sense of otherworldliness as well as deep sense of self-examination throughout the record which runs lyrically deeper than typical songs of this alternative pop rock style. The themes of fate, existentialism, and love existing beyond the normal confines of time and space undoubtedly originate from Band’s penchant for science and astrophysics. Songs like “Finally” “Crystal Ball” and “How Long” (among others) exemplify these sentiments with a sense of melodicism that practically gives the listener a sensation of flying.
The Calling have made the wise choice of not following musical trends and sticking to the anthemic, soulful post grunge pop guitar rock that they do best. The sound’s appeal will likely be multigenerational and fodder for many future big budget mainstream movies. There will always be a demand for songs of this vibe and nature and they do it better than most. A number of tracks on this record will likely be ringing out of many people’s speakers, years into the future.
Before the World Turns to Dust is out everywhere this Friday, September 25th. Read my interview with Alex Band here, and listen to the pre-released singles here.
