Chicago pop-punk rockers, When The Sun Sets, are back and louder than ever with their latest 10-track album. Vocalist Zach Baumgartner shares how these tracks showcase their lives as a band, with every one individually shining on the happiest moments to the most vulnerable. Life is full of ups and downs, but the important thing is sticking together through it all. 

“The Cards We’re Dealt is a perfect summary of this band in one package, with all of our friends + family who made it possible.” – Zack Baumgartner

Like a lot of artists, they have brought in some guest voices featured on this album, and it always makes my heart happy to see these connections in the music scene because I recognize most of them. Artists supporting other artists is what makes the music industry one big family. 

“Serotonin Sunrise” came out back in 2024 and has been in my repeated playlist forever. This album has been a long time in the making, and it was definitely worth the wait. It’s crazy sometimes knowing that bands can, and will take years to write new music, but then sometimes it comes out right away. There is no linear definition when it comes to music, and that’s okay because it’s about the journey. 

Besides being addicted to “Serotonin Sunrise,” I am OBSESSED with the track “Undertow,” which features Courtney Clinkert of Definitely Maybe. Definitely Maybe is a band that I am all too familiar with, and they relocated to New York City some time ago. Clinkert and Baumgartner’s vocals blend together so well and beautifully into one sound. The song itself is just so relatable, and sometimes it really helps in those darker moments, knowing you are not alone. 

“At least I made it out of bed today,” hits so hard because I can count numerous times where I just felt down that accomplishing this small task felt like climbing a mountain. No matter what, though, it’s the trying, fighting to continue that makes everything worth it in the end. 

I also love the track, “If Love Was A Highway, Then You Missed Every Exit,” which features MJ Kramer from latenightsinmycar. If that name rings a bell, then perhaps you remember my interview with her, which is featured in the March Print Zine. She and Baumgartner work a lot together, and they work so well together. I especially love the title because it reminds me of all the other big groups like Fall Out Boy and A Day To Remember with the crazy long song titles. The concept of love also being a highway is an entertaining thought because we always want to think love is so obvious, or we’d see the “red flags” right away, but we don’t. Sometimes the signs are missed, and life just keeps going on; there’s no backtracking or rewinding in reality. 

The entire album is made of bangers and no skips, go stream it now and catch When The Sun Sets on tour later this year!