Review RISE AGAINST “Ricochet”

Rise Against is one of the most popular US punk rock bands, and this August they will launch a new album called “Ricochet”. Four years after releasing “Nowhere Generation”, the quartet is back with twelve new songs.

As with previous albums, “Ricochet” offers more than just music. Rise Against’s songs carry a message as the band is known for its political engagement and its fight for animal rights.

The title track was the starting point for the album. Thematically, the song is about interconnectedness. We are all part of something bigger, and whatever we do has an effect on others and sometimes comes back as a boomerang. This idea runs through the album from start to finish, and also resonates in the pulsating title track.

The lead single received its first radio airplay in early 2025. Titled “Nod”, it announced the band’s first studio album in four years, and it is an electric song. Also being the opener of the album, “Nod” is a rebellious song with the message that being part of a community can help you find inner peace.

“Prizefighter” was the second single and closes the album. “Prizefighter” is an intense rock song with a punk attitude that addresses the price one pays when transitioning from being an individual to being part of the public eye, from the perspective of a band. The 7″ artwork with the partly melted trophy is the perfect metaphor for the lyrical approach of “Prizefighter”.

Rise Against sticks to spot-on songs, and the melodic rocker “Damage is Done” is a prime example. With the exception of the lively “Sink Like a Stone”, each song hits the three-minute mark, while the atmospheric “Sink Like a Stone” is the epic four-minute anthem of “Ricochet”.

“I Want It All” is the third song that has been released to build excitement for the album. It is a captivating track, with a repetitive main theme that erupts into an explosive chorus. “Black Crown” is a calmer, more melancholic moment on Rise Against’s latest album. The captivating chorus is an added bonus in “Black Crown”, before “Forty Days” spreads a darker vibe, shifting into a roaring chorus.

“State of Emergency” and the entire album find the sweet spot between melancholy and hope. Each of the twelve tunes has a rebellious spirit, providing an uplifting message in these strange times. This applies to the thunderous moments of the album, as well as the calm, poignant songs, such as “Gold Long Gone”.

This is Rise Against’s tenth studio album, and it sees the Chicago-based punk rockers at their best. Punk is part of the band’s musical approach, yet their style is much wider. The true heart and foundation of the four guys is reflected in their rebellious mindset, and each of these twelve songs is a musical delight and roaring wake-up call.