Bad Cop / Bad Cop Announce First Album in Five Years, “Lighten Up,” Out September 17 Via Fat Wreck Chords

Punk rock stalwarts Bad Cop/Bad Cop return this fall with Lighten Up, their first full-length album in five years. Slated for release on September 17 via Fat Wreck Chords, now operating under Hopeless Records’ ownership, Lighten Up marks a fresh chapter for the band, both musically and personally.

The album is the first to feature new guitarist Alex Windsor, whose addition brings a renewed energy and perspective to the group’s signature mix of melodic punk rock, political sharpness, and radical empathy. Produced with an ear for both grit and grace, the record continues Bad Cop/Bad Cop’s legacy of defiant, harmony-driven punk anthems.

With the release, fans will hear the band balancing urgency with optimism, finding clarity through chaos. The lead single is available now, offering a first glimpse into the sound of a band still evolving, still fighting, and still singing.