Tigers Jaw - Lost on You
2026 • EPITAPH RECORDS • EMO / POP PUNK
82/100
Much like the ever-expanding career of an NBA superstar, Tigers Jaw have sustained a much longer and more impactful run than anyone might have expected, especially in a genre not known for longevity. After nearly twenty years together and more lineup changes than a rebuilding franchise, the Scranton-based emo-rockers have returned from a five-year hiatus to deliver their seventh full-length album, Lost On You, out today on Hopeless Records. Produced once more by Pennsylvania alt-scene wunderkind Will Yip, these twelve tracks represent a continued refinement of the sound they’ve spent decades perfecting. This is a band that knows their role and plays it at an All-Star level.
As a longtime fan, I’ll be the first to admit their previous effort, I Won’t Care How You Remember Me, wasn’t exactly a "complete swish" for me. However, Lost On You feels like that prime-era resurgence.
The album opens with “It’s ok,” a reverb-drenched, acoustic-led cut that evokes the raw intimacy of their 2006 self-titled debut. It immediately re-establishes the dual-vocal chemistry between Ben Walsh and Brianna Collins, which remains the band’s greatest fast-break advantage. From there, we erupt into the first of Brianna’s highlights, “Primary Colors.” As a single, it’s a massive-sounding track that showcases the band’s songwriting versatility and Yip’s characteristically crisp production.
After a string of punchy singles, including “Head Is Like A Sinking Stone,” which is arguably my favorite Tigers Jaw track in years, the record hits a mid-album stride with the pairing of “Anxious Blade” and “Baptized on a Redwood Drive.” The latter is a dark, moody, Americana-flavored departure that feels like a spiritual nod to the recent work of former member Adam Andrzejewski (Wicca Phase Springs Eternal). Both tracks benefit immensely from Teddy Roberts’ drumming; his pocket is deep here and provides the perfect percussive backbone to the band's sonic evolution.
Lyrically, Lost On You orbits the heavy gravity of growth and the shifting tectonic plates of interpersonal relationships. These themes culminate in the back half with “Light Leaks Through,” a track reminiscent of the high-energy output of Alkaline Trio or Joyce Manor. It features a massive chorus clearly built for a sweaty, sold-out room.
The title track closes the curtains with a surprising pivot. It’s faster and more aggressive, leaning back into pop-punk tropes in a way that feels refreshing rather than reductive. It was a late-game surge I didn't necessarily expect from them at this stage in their career.
Overall, Lost On You proves that Tigers Jaw still have plenty of highlights left in the tank. It’s heartening to see a band discover a second wind this deep into the game, and if this record is any indication, they’ll be jersey-retirement contenders for years to come.
NBA COMP: JAMES HARDEN
Been in the game for a minute, but who says they still can’t drop 35?