It’s a landmark year for Mayday Parade as the beloved Tallahassee, Florida, quintet marks 20 years of shaping the emo and pop-punk landscape. In celebration of this milestone, the band—Derek Sanders (vocals), Jake Bundrick (drums/vocals), Alex Garcia (guitar), Brooks Betts (guitar), and Jeremy Lenzo (bass/vocals)—has announced their most ambitious project to date: a three-part album series.
The first installment, Sweet, is set to release on April 18, 2025, showcasing the band’s emotional resonance and signature sound. Leading the charge is the effervescent single “By The Way,” which blends tender piano-led grooves, soaring guitars, and heartfelt lyricism. The track is available to stream and watch now, offering fans an exciting glimpse into the album’s direction.
“Being in a band for this long, sometimes you feel like you’re getting it right and sometimes like you’re dancing around what you should be doing. This song feels locked in as a step in the right direction. It’s about trying to stay optimistic as the world and everything you know changes around you. We hope you all enjoy it,” comments Derek Sanders on the lead single.
Sweet is just the beginning of Mayday Parade’s eighth full-length studio album and their first since 2021’s What It Means to Fall Apart. The project reunites the band with longtime producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount (known for their work with All Time Low and Jimmy Eat World). It’s also their first self-released work since 2006’s Tales Told By Dead Friends, the EP that catapulted them to fame when sold form the trunks of cars during the Vans Warped Tour.
“Being a band for 20 years feels big, and we wanted to do something big to match that,” Sanders shares. “Our next release is a large album split into three parts. It feels like a challenge and an exciting step forward for the band. We’re incredibly thankful to continue creating music, and we can’t wait to share Sweet with the world.”
Formed in 2005, Mayday Parade has become a cornerstone of the emo and pop-punk genres. Their 2007 debut, A Lesson in Romantics, is certified gold and celebrated as one of the best emo albums of all time by Alternative Press. Other career highlights include:
- Top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 for 2013’s Monsters in the Closet
- Platinum-certified tracks like “Jamie All Over” and gold-certified hits such as “Miserable at Best”
- Appearances at iconic festivals including Riot Fest, Slam Dunk, and When We Were Young
- Founding the Sad Summer Festival and headlining it twice
As they prepare to release Sweet, Mayday Parade is riding high on a renewed sense of creativity and confidence, setting the stage for the remaining two parts of the trilogy, due later in 2025 and into 2026. Fans can also revisit last summer’s single, “Pretty Good To Feel Something,” alongside “By The Way.”
With tour dates, new music, and the celebration of their 20-year journey, there’s never been a better time to be a Mayday Parade fan. Visit their official website or follow their social media channels for updates, and mark your calendars for April 18 when Sweet drops.
Here’s to 20 years of Mayday Parade—and the next chapter of their storied legacy!
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