Album Review: Mayday Parade – Sugar (MHE)

‘Sugar’ is the third and final instalment of Mayday Parade’s ambitious three-part album trilogy, due out 24th July 2026, bringing their 20th anniversary celebration to a close.

Diminishing results? Not a bloody chance. Mayday Parade wrap up this part of their career with one of their strongest albums to date, let alone the strongest album of this trilogy. Delivering nine (and an intro) lovable efforts that ooze emotion via a cacophony of pop punk, emo, and alternative rock sounds. This one is for the fans.

Writing anthems effortlessly, Mayday Parade have been on a creative tear over this trilogy period. So, to see it come to an end, even though it’s a celebration, is kind of sad. Which makes the intro of Set Phasers to Bummed even more potent. It put a wry smile on my face.

From that awesome start, straight into Blame It on the Youth and Sweet Sad Sugar, Mayday Parade at their anthemic best. Foot-tapping guitar rhythms, finger snapping drumbeats, vocals that are subtle and smooth but have potency when called upon. These are delightful listens, but I think the following Weekend Music is just a cut above and all because of the loveliness of the melodies.

I know right? Mayday Parade and lovely melodies, what else should we expect?

I am preaching to the choir, I get that. After all, they have spent twenty years building one hell of a reputation for always delivering quality music and dragging the scene forward in the process. However, I find myself so enthusiastic about the album, that I can’t help but gush. Especially when I’m being given tracks like Lying to Myself, Two Hearts, and Don’t Give Up on Me. Don’t be surprised if the emotion of it all gets the better of you here, as it did me.

So, what else do we have? It’s simple really. More and more Mayday Parade goodness. Where alternative power dominates courtesy of Patriotism of First Tiger Called into Question and forlorn melodies dominate much of So the Story Goes. The former is one of my favourites and while the latter isn’t quite as captivating, it’s still very strong when held up against anything that anyone else in this scene has to offer.

Twenty years of Mayday Parade. Isn’t that just something? The final celebration coming via the melodramatic What Happens Next. Here’s to the next twenty.

Mayday Parade – Sugar Track Listing:

1. Set Phasers to Bummed
2. Blame It on the Youth
3. Sweet Sad Sugar
4. Weekend Music
5. Lying To Myself
6. Two Hearts
7. Don’t Give Up on Me
8. Patriotism of First Tiger Called into Question
9. So the Story Goes
10. What Happens Next

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