If you ever needed proof that pop-punk isn’t just surviving but actively booming in 2025, look no further than CF98’s fantastic new record, Stupid Punk LP. It’s a high-octane celebration of what made this longstanding genre legendary in the first place, filtered through a modern lens that keeps things feeling dynamic, groovy, and real. Hailing from Poland, CF98 delivers a full-throttle blast of pure, unadulterated energy that screams “no filler” from the opening guitar riff to the final cymbal crash. Forget the idea that pop-punk needs deep philosophical lyrics to justify itself. This band understands that sometimes, the most honest thing you can do is crank up the volume, grab your friends, and scream about the silly, complicated mess of growing up. This album is a joyous, perfectly crafted rebellion against taking life too seriously. Stupid Punk LP operates in that glorious sweet spot where modern polish meets early-2000s attitude. You can hear the ghosts of skate-punk heroes like Sum 41, Blink-182, Avril Lavigne, Simple Plan, and Goldfinger buzzing around the edges, but the songwriting is sharp and tight enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with contemporary giants like Paramore, The Bombpops, and Neck Deep. This blend makes the record so addictive. It’s got that signature drumming and dynamic tempo that keeps your head ringing, but crucially, it never puts melody in the shadows. Every track feels engineered to be a massive, shout-along chorus. CF98 proves they know exactly what a hook is and how to deploy it for maximum impact. They nail the delicate balance required in this style, maintaining constant, relentless energy without collapsing into repetitive noise. The sound is clean enough to feel massive and radio-ready, yet still retains a raw, garage-band sincerity that stops it from sounding overproduced or fake. It’s loud, it’s groovy, and it absolutely demands that you listen with the volume pushed to eleven, preferably while driving too fast or trying (and failing) to land a kickflip.
The thematic core of the album revolves around navigating that perpetually awkward phase of life where you’re technically an adult but still feel exactly like a confused teenager. It’s all about the things that truly matter when the world keeps trying to tell you to slow down and act your age. They tackle the universal subject of friendship, not the big, dramatic, idealized version, but the nitty-gritty reality of keeping those bonds strong as life pulls everyone in different directions. The songs are relatable because they focus on small, honest moments, the sting of losing touch with someone you used to see every day, the struggle to maintain passion and identity when society pushes you toward boring stability, and the pure, uplifting vibes you get when you realize your core crew is still there for you. This commitment to real energy is more than notable. There’s no manufactured angst or fake bad girl/bad boy posing here. It feels like a genuine transmission from a group of friends who are still totally stoked on being a band, and that infectious enthusiasm is the secret weapon here. Stupid Punk LP makes a powerful argument for the charm of being a little bit “stupid” in the best possible way. This isn’t intellectual music, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s impactful, emotional, and physical. It’s an album you don’t analyze, you just feel it in your heart and feet. This intentional lack of filler and pretense elevates the record from a mere genre exercise to a vital modern pop-punk record every punk rocker needs. They have distilled the pop-punk experience down to its most essential elements like love, passion, friendship, melody, and volume. For listeners who came up on the scene recently, it will feel like pulling on a perfectly broken-in, favorite hoodie, and for those die-hards, it’s a perfect, accessible soundtrack to why pop-punk refuses to die. It’s a loud, affirming incline to everyone who believes that finding joy and keeping the fire alive with your people is the ultimate measure of success, regardless of what the rest of the world is doing. CF98 brought a catchy, memorable, meaningful record full of massive hooks and uplifting vibes, designed to be a perfect soundtrack for finding your melody, staying true to your crew, and keeping moving fast. It’s a 10/10 album you need in your punk rock record collection. Head to SBAM for more information about ordering this pop-punk gem.
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