When Eddie Reyes and Mark O’Connell came together again after years apart, they didn’t set out to start a new band and release an album, they were just two people trying to find their friendship again. ME. was originally intended to be a project featuring ten songs with ten different vocalists. They didn’t want a front man, but sometimes what you get isn’t what you want; it’s exactly what you need.
After answering a casting call and writing the lyrics for what would become the band’s first single, “Special,” it wasn’t long before Chicago based vocalist Mike Jansen joined the group. Reyes and O’Connell were caught off guard by how instantly Jansen understood the direction they wanted the band to take, without needing it explained to him. Soon after, O’Connell’s childhood friend Neal Amiruddin would step in to play bass in the band, creating a four piece.
ME. is not an extension of Reyes and O’Connell’s time in Taking Back Sunday nor is this album a simple reunion. They aren’t a band trying to capitalize on nostalgia or “super group status”; ME. represents a musical rebirth, and their new album proves that this is just the beginning of their musical journey together.
“Introduction”
Clocking in at just over half a minute, “Introduction” succeeds as an effective opener. The track steadily builds tension through its gradual increase in intensity, creating a sense of anticipation that resonates throughout this album. Rather than functioning as a stand alone piece, it acts as a gateway into the record, drawing the listener into its atmosphere and hinting what the album has to offer.
“Bloodsport”
Following the build up of “Introduction,” “Bloodsport” emerges as the track that establishes the standard the rest of the album aims to meet. With its energetic drums, powerful guitars and a sense of controlled chaos, the song mirrors the weight of the lyrics, driving it forward.
Fueled by feelings of alienation, frustration and self-reflection, “Bloodsport” captures the experience of searching for a place to belong in a world that feels increasingly disconnected. Opening with the questions, “where are the freaks?” and “where are the aliens?” the song establishes that sense of isolation that remains central throughout. The song represents a personal battle fought through fractured relationships, personal struggles and the search for identity.
Combined with the raw, infectious energy of the music, the lyrics make “Bloodsport” a powerful early statement, marking the beginning of the emotional journey this album takes its listeners on.
“Grown Man”
Built on a fast-moving, heart on the sleeve celebration of new love, “Grown Man” is my standout track of the album. With its big open chords, soaring vocal melodies and dynamic soft to loud shifts, the track feels like it’s tailor made to become the future sing-along anthem of the band’s live performances.
“Grown Man” pairs its high energy instrumentation with a refreshing sense of optimism. Lyrics such as “well I could get used to you being here, but I couldn’t deal with being without,” perfectly capture the all-consuming nature of newfound love. At its core, the song tell the story of how a new relationship can help a person reignite their passion for life, providing the confidence and motivation to move forward and truly live again.
“Special”
While “Grown Man” thrives on optimism and emotional renewal, “Special” dives head first into frustration, resentment and self-destruction.
Driven by a relentless energy, the track documents the lasting impact of a toxic relationship, with lines such as “you’re not just a person, you’re a panic attack,” delivering some of the most cutting truths. This song will resonate with anyone who has experience the breakdown of a friendship or relationship driven by ego and self-importance.
The repeated question, “Why do you have to believe you are special?” transform the song from a tale of heartbreak into a confrontation with arrogance and self worth while the recurring references to lost memories adds an even deeper emotional weight.
Raw, chaotic and deeply cathartic, this song stands out as one of the album’s most emotionally powerful moments.
“Violent People”
Much of All Good Things so far has focused on relationships but “Violent People” turns away from that and explores anxiety, distrust and the struggle to find clarity in the world.
Built around a relentless momentum that mirrors the racing thoughts described in lyrics such as “voices, voices, all I hear are voices,” “Violent People” captures what it feels like to be stuck inside your own mind. The song is both grounding and relatable, particularly for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed with the pressures of everyday life.
The repeated references to “fakers,” “monsters,” and “violent people” create an atmosphere of paranoia and exhaustion, whilst lines such as “often to open up, I walk to my car and take a deep breath” provide a moment of vulnerability that grounds the song in reality. As a result, “Violent People” stands out as one of the more relatable tracks.
“Nuzzo”
Rather than providing a clear, straightforward narrative like other tracks on this album, “Nuzzo” creates an atmosphere with fuzzy guitars and untamed energy. With references to feathers, birds, snakes and reapers throughout the song, it creates an unsettling yet captivating feeling.
Recurring lines such as, “Are you ever really safe here?” introduce an underlying sense of vulnerability beneath the abstract lyricism. The repeated calls to “tune in to the motha” and the closing refrain of “let the birds fly” give the track a hypnotic quality, adding a sense of unpredictability and experimentation that helps diversify the album’s emotional landscape.
“Big Smiles”
Coming off of such the chaotic energy of “Nuzzo,” “Big Smiles” provides the acoustic moment of warmth and sincerity that an album like this needs to full round out its emotional range.
A beautiful love song about wanting someone to achieve every dream they have, the track captures unconditional love and admiration through lyrics such as “I would give you the moon, like I said, it’s your dream.” Its simplicity is where its strength lies; every lyric feels genuine and written from a place of pure devotion. Lines such as “I will never let you fall” reinforce the song’s sense of comfort and protection, making “Big Smiles” a reminder that softer moments exist alongside the album’s heavier themes.
With its stripped back acoustic approach, “Big Smiles” adds another layer of emotion to All Good Things proving that sometimes the quietest moments can hold the most weight.
“Sun Poison”
Built around bright imagery and an energetic atmosphere, “Sun Poison” takes a darker look at the idea of escape and the pursuit of true happiness; exploring the contrast between the dream we’re sold, and the reality we experience. References to “soak up the sun” and “selling a dream” create the image of a manufactured paradise while the repeated question, “Why can’t I see the colors of a rainbow anymore?” reveals the emotional exhaustion underneath it all.
Challenging the idea that happiness can be bought or achieved through shortcuts, “Price tag on imagination, shortcut to being something great,” this track highlights the pressure to constantly chase something more. “Sun Poison” becomes a reflection on losing yourself while searching for something that was supposed to make you complete, making it one of the album’s deeper, more thought-provoking tracks.
“Soap Bar”
This is a track where the lyrics perfectly match the feel of the instrumentation; its rough, unpredictable energy gives the impression that the song is constantly shifting direction, mirroring the struggle to process the emotions within the lyrics.
“Soap Bar” isn’t just about hardship, it’s about confronting the difficulties that come with life and accepting that even though things are often messy and uncertain. Lines such as “Sometimes you need the suffering, and the sufferin’ is happenin,” reflect the idea that pain is an unavoidable part of personal growth.
“The Astronaut Show”
“The Astronaut Show” shifts the focus away from personal struggles and towards the pressures of identity, ambition and how the world perceives us, questioning whether fame and fortune are really worth it if you’re losing yourself. The track carries itself with a sense of urgency, with its driving guitars and relentless drums; it mirrors the sense of constantly chasing something that feels just out of reach.
Lines such as “A smile for the camera, I see the real” question the authenticity behind the images we create, and the image people see. It feels fitting to have a song like this on ME.’s debut album; with the history surrounding Reyes and O’Connell’s previous experience in the industry. The track can be interpreted as a reflection on the pressure that comes with being part of something bigger than yourself. “The Astronaut Show” becomes a powerful statement about trying to hold onto your identity while being encouraged to become something else.
“This Is What It Feels Like To Be Normal”
After spending All Good Things exploring love, anxiety, conflict, identity and the pressure to find yourself a place in the world, “This Is What It Feels Like To Be Normal” feels like the ultimate final reflection, focusing on acceptance and learning to exist just as yourself, whoever that might be.
The song carries a lot of emotional weight with its layered guitars and growing intensity, creating the feeling of a final statement rather than just another track. The repeated phrases and building momentum mirror the process of working through uncertainness, making the song feel like a natural conclusion to the journey the album has taken its listeners on.
Lyrically, the track challenges the idea of fitting into someone else’s expectations with lines such as, “I don’t want to just be what you want out of me” becoming a powerful statement of Independence. “Are you happy with your life?” forces reflection on whether they happy with just living for themselves, instead of something bigger.
The line “broken hands can still be pretty” feels like not just the emotional center of the song, but the album as a whole. Rather than pretending that struggles, this track embraces imperfections and acknowledges that damages does not take away a person’s self-worth.
Ending with “I know that I’ll fall, but I don’t mind,” the track closes out All Good Things not with a perfect resolution, but with acceptance, resilience and the dependence to keep on moving forward, no matter what.
This album is a lot deeper and far more emotional than I expected going into my first listen. All Good Things is a beautiful collection of emotional journeys that feel completely genuine, with every track carrying the weight of experiences behind it. The honestly throughout the record feels like a reflection of the decades of experience both Reyes and O’Connell bring to ME., proving that this isn’t a project built on nostalgia, but a band creating something meaningful in their own right.
The album is out today! Check it out wherever you stream music.