In The All-American Reject’s latest release, lyricist and lead singer Tyson Ritter boldly and beautifully questions where the beauty is in the madness of war. “Sandbox” doesn’t pull any punches, and the imagery is impossible to ignore. With lines like “even the bully knows war is hell” coupled with endless references to childhood, we are forced to be fully aware that today’s children don’t have the time to be kids. The sandbox is thirsty because the kids haven’t gotten to play outside, they haven’t been allowed their innocence. The duality of the light hearted nursery rhyme melodies paired with the bleak lyrics lands perfectly. It’s a song that makes you wonder how we got here and how we make it better.

With The All-American Rejects last studio album being released in 2012, and their last EP Send Her to Heaven having been released in 2019, I hope this is just a taste of what’s to come. For now we have this wonderful single, tour dates across the US in the summer and then they’re opening for the Jonas Brothers in the fall. If this is just a taste of what’s to come, definitely don’t miss them out on tour.

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