This is still Neck Deep, though, and these are raw and real emotions expertly woven into adrenaline-pumping earworms that you’ll want to yell in your mates’ faces at massive festivals.
“I think uplifting music has been something that people have grown to love about us,” Ben agrees. “Especially going back to [2015 second album] Life’s Not Out To Get You, which was the quintessential positive pop-punk record, and a little guide to life. Whereas now we’re a little bit older, maybe a little less naive. And I think it feels that message is maybe a bit more mature, a bit more realistic, and a bit more applicable to people. If you want the youthful naivety and exuberance, that still exists, but this is us 10 years later, with just a slightly more mature perspective on things. It doesn’t have to tell you, ‘Hey, everything’s gonna be alright,’ but it still feels that way.”
There’s also Ben’s favourite political Neck Deep song to date: passionate single We Need More Bricks, which has the seal of approval from one of their heroes, blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, and eagerly incites listeners to do their part. Well – most listeners…
“You see a few shitty comments,” Ben says with an eye roll. “I think one dude said, ‘(Puts on a nerdy voice) This guy’s actively calling for a revolution!’ It’s a bit of a jump. But even if that was the case, so fucking what, dude? It’s art; it’s expression. If you’re listening to punk rock music for it to be safe, sanitary, too afraid to touch on politics or comment on the world we live in, then are you listening to punk music? Come on!”
As is the frontman’s way, though, he’s not being preachy about it. He simply reckons that there are ways to make the world a better place, and he’s putting out a “good, strong message” that he’s done his research on.
“I think I’ll always be very politically minded,” Ben adds, “maybe too politically minded at times, I must say! But I’m passionate about it, and I want to at least make people think. If we can do that, then it’s mission accomplished.”