SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: JIMMY EAT WORLD – SURVIVING

Jimmy Eat World
Surviving
The Orchard/RCA Records

Jimmy Eat World’s 10^th studio album, Surviving , is their most personal album to date. While the band is still sticking to their original sound, this time around they’re digging deeper with a new ambitious take and taking it a little more personal.

The album opens with title track “Surviving”, which sets the mood for the release as soon as the first chord is struck. With its heavy rock guitar riffs and kick drum, it is reminiscent of mid-’90s feelgood music that made you contemplate life and where you were headed. This is definitely a Jimmy Eat World track as it gives listeners nostalgia sensation of an earlier point in their lives, making them “remember the good old days”.

“555” was released as a single alongside an artistically eerie video, hitting deep with emotions and a strong influence of ‘80s sci-fi themes. The video’s imagery is unpredictably fitting for its poetic lyrics:

“I keep my focus on the simple things.
Trying to find some peace along the way.
Wish I knew how long I’m supposed to wait.
Holding on but just barely.”

The smooth beat and catchy melody make a beautifully sad yet hopeful song. It’s deeply personal and inspires one to look within themselves to accept their truth, and giving on the sense of finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, or that feeling you get just after you finish sobbing uncontrollably — calm and still, yet hopeful. The track provokes such strong emotions without being shoe-gazey or gloomy, and the ‘80s sci-fi themes produce moving images that are artistic and reflective.  

Jimmy Eat World delivers yet again with Surviving, showing new and old fans alike that they are not slowing down. Their lyrical poeticism takes listeners on a journey of love, pain, and ultimately acceptance of themselves in an album that’s heartfelt and raw. The band proves that its music can withstand the test of time and that they plan to be around for years to come.

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