Bryan Adams is back with Roll With The Punches, an album that feels both familiar and at the same time refreshingly honest. Across ten tracks, he leans on everything that’s made him a rock icon while still sneaking in a few surprises. From my listens to the record this week, it’s clear this isn’t about reinventing the wheel, but more about polishing it until it shines. This is a record that has moments where it sounds like it could fill an arena yet still connect in the quiet moments.
The title track kicks things off with that unmistakable Adams grit, a straight-ahead rocker that will instantly make long time fans feel right at home. There’s a catchy hook and beat that made me think of a sold out crowd clapping along to the rhythm. And judging by the track’s numbers on Spotify, there’s plenty of fans who feel the same. Like I mentioned above, this is not Bryan Adams looking to push massive boundaries. He doesn’t need to. This is refining and making small changes. “Make Up Your Mind” keeps that energy rolling, with a hook that’s tailor-made for big live moments. I know it’s expected on a Bryan Adams record but God the guitar absolutely slaps. It’s so infectious.
I thought “Never Ever Let You Go” stood out for its songwriting, almost a nod to the softer, big-hearted Adams ballads of the past. It’s not so much a slow burner but it definitely was a nice turn of pace from the album’s openers. There’s a confidence here, the sound of someone who knows exactly what lane they’re in and drives it at full throttle.
Lyrically, Adams is a master at meshing that sense of nostalgia with something that feels new. “A Little More Understanding” is exactly that, it’s modern and topical. It’s a plea for compassion in a world that often lacks it, all paced over a funky guitar. “Life Is Beautiful” offers a brighter, reflective pause. I think these tracks worked quite well because they don’t feel preachy; instead, they come off as personal reminders from someone who’s lived long enough to know the highs and lows of life.
“Love Is Stronger Than Hate” feels timely and one of the most open tracks on the record. Opening with a harmonica solo, it feels like a sundown track that slowly builds. The lyrics on this show off how good Adams is at storytelling. While “How’s That Working For Ya” shows he hasn’t lost his tongue-in-cheek edge. It’s a cocky/confident punchy track that feels like a middle finger in the air while driving away. It’s a cool switch up that I really enjoyed. These types of tracks are my favourite from Adams. Saying that, I really liked how he pulls things back on “Two Arms To Hold You”, it’s a soft, calming track. There are a lot of ups and downs in this record but they work well. I did think it might feel a bit all over the place but instead it helped to keep things interesting. It’s that mix of muscle and melody that’s always been his sweet spot.
Closing with “Will We Ever Be Friends Again,” Adams leaves us on a thoughtful note. It’s reflective, tinged with longing, and rounds off the album with a sense of closure that still leaves the door open. It’s got a real sense of nostalgia to it that’s very easy to relate to. Overall, I think Roll With The Punches works because it doesn’t try too hard, it’s Bryan Adams doing what Bryan Adams does best, and he’s doing it well. It’s pretty much what you’d expect from a Bryan Adams release, a solid, heartfelt record that deserves to be played loud.
‘Roll With The Punches’ rolls in with a punchy 7.5 out of 10
Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography