SINGLE REVIEW: The Journey Back – Excuses
Germany’s female-fronted pop-punk outfit The Journey Back re-emerge in 2025 with ‘Excuses,’ a track that immediately signals their refreshed direction. Bright, hook-heavy guitars snap into motion from the outset, setting a pace that’s urgent, melodic, and unapologetically catchy. It’s an invigorating introduction to their new chapter — energetic without feeling over-polished, emotionally charged without tipping into melodrama.
At the centre is a standout vocal performance, occupying a space that’s surprisingly distinctive for the genre. There’s the familiar twang and punch you’d expect from pop-punk, but woven through it is a theatrical edge — a lift and clarity that hints at the expressive flair of symphonic metal. It gives the track a sharper emotional contour, adding an air of drama without overwhelming the immediacy of the melody.
Lyrically, ‘Excuses’ taps into the emotional backbone of pop punk: frustration, repetition, the slow burn of being worn down by someone who keeps promising change but never quite delivers. The delivery feels lived-in rather than scripted, making the song’s fed-up tone ring true rather than performative.
The arrangement is more dynamic than the upbeat exterior first suggests. Beneath the bright guitars and punchy rhythm section, the song pivots into a darker, more gothic-leaning passage where the tempo deepens and the guitars take on a heavy, atmospheric weight. It’s a clever contrast — a moment that breaks the surface tension before launching back into the track’s driving momentum.
Musically, there are definite flashes of early Paramore in the attitude and pacing, but The Journey Back establish their own voice through their willingness to layer textures, embrace contrast, and colour their melodies with unexpected theatricality.
‘Excuses’ marks an impressive step into their new era: dynamic, multi-faceted pop punk delivered with confidence, conviction, and a welcome edge.
