On October 7th, 2016, Green Day released their twelfth album, Revolution Radio, 4 years after their last album, ¡Tré! released back in late 2012. The album intelligently focuses on current day America with it’s political unrest and a call to action for a war that has yet to happen. This is also alongside overcoming addictions and finding hope through all the chaos. It has also been reviewed as a beloved return to form Green Day album. The album ended up debuting #1 in the UK, Canada, Ireland, Italy and New Zealand with 90,000 unit sales.
As for many, it has become one of their favourite albums from the band the more they listen to it. It is great that Green Day returned to speaking cleverly against America because some of the songs that focused on it are fan favourites. That was especially the case with the very beloved album, American Idiot. Some favourites that many share are the title song Revolution Radio, which tackles topics such as activist movements and supporting for what you believe in. There is also Bang Bang which focuses on mass gun violence, and Still Breathing, which talks about addictions. But then there is my personal favourite from the album, Forever Now. This song takes a look at finding a light at the end of a very dark tunnel and learning to live life free.
Now, how can a simple little album connect with NAIT students? Well, I have an answer. With the topics it tackles, especially how they are in the modern day, I can see many resonating. When it comes to music, many songs and themes can stick with us. In some cases, music can have a huge impact on our lives. It can stick as a permanent memory with us. Is there a song you personally connected with? If there is, that is great. We listen to music daily at NAIT, and even when we are not here, we still do listen to many songs constantly. In those cases, some songs just stick with us like how a magnet sticks to metal. And if there is one thing every NAIT student should know about, it is this album. Just listen, it might even have a song you will resonate with.
At the end of the day, Revolution Radio still remains an unforgettable album 10 years later. I guess it is mostly due to how it has aged by how resonating it is. It really speaks for the people, not only just for those in America, but for those around the world as well. It truly is an album that looks out for those who share the same problems.