The Good Times and The Bad Ones is the 10-track sophomore album by Why Don’t We released on January 15, 2021. This is also their first self-written and produced album as a band. Following their debut album with 8 Letters (2018), the band has also released six extended plays (EP) under Atlantic Records.

Formed in 2016, Why Don’t We (WDW) is a quintet with members namely: Daniel Seavey, Jack Avery, Jonah Marais, Zach Herron, and Corbyn Besson. They have garnered over three billion global career streams, five million Instagram followers, and over 750 million YouTube views.  Some of their famous songs include “Trust Fund Baby,” “I Don’t Belong In This Club” (with Macklemore), “These Girls,”  “Hooked,” and “8 Letters.”

On November 12, 2020, the lads announced their forthcoming sophomore album. As stated by Besson in an Atlantic Records Press Release, “writing and co-producing our own music has been one of the most rewarding experiences for us.”

Fast forward, it has reached the No. 1 spot on the albums category of the iTunes Pop Chart upon its release.

Press rewind, nostalgia in mind

The first three singles that were released prior to the album have a love trilogy story to tell. As an avid listener, Why Don’t We surely embarked into exploring mature sounds. 

“Fallin’ (Adrenaline)” serves as the lead single. Welcoming a new era, its music video currently has over 23 million views since its premiere last Sept. 29, 2020. Every member of the band can be commended for the superb vocals, legendary visuals, and striking rhythm to be found on this track.

Bursting with euphoria, “Lotus Inn” offers you the 80’s disco vibe. After falling in love for the hell of it, it then upgrades to the next level. With lyrics, “But you look, you look so perfect dancing next to me. I wish the sun would look the other way,” one may just be wishing to repeat the night filled with bliss. 

Meanwhile, “Slow Down” is an ode to summer vacation despite it being released days before Christmas. This song solely reflects a relationship in which things are moving fast. Its intro, moreover, samples The Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979” track. Also, if you are looking for something to listen to while on a road trip, this is perfect for you.

Supplementary Recommendations

• “Love Song” is such a fan favorite. Written by Seavey, this bop track is filled with high falsetto leading to an "eargasm" experience. Musical beats (keyboard, guitar, drum, and synthesizer) complement the lyrics well; which were also covered by Seavey himself. 
• For an emotional ballad, “Grey” is definitely a must-add to your playlist. Aside from the lads’ perfect harmonious voices, this seems like a tune baby that was born out of their tracks “Words I Didn’t Say” and “In Too Deep.” 
• “Be Myself” is a self-introspection song. Avery’s vocals in the chorus will hit you to the core with lyrics saying: “Take me somewhere I can be. I can be myself. Oh, take me somewhere I am free. Free to be myself, and nothin' else.”
• Serving as the last track, “Stay” beautifully concludes the album. With a soft touch of R&B, this song can be simply put in a situation of not wanting to end an unhealthy relationship. Yet it has finally come to the point that “It's time I leave you now”—or else suffer with the warped reality of love. 

With the band’s experimentation with bold tunes, limelights may still not be over with the 8 Letters’ hangover (or even from a post-concert depression). But this album serves as a good kick start of 2021 with Why Don’t We transitioning their style through a new set of songs and a much different sound. 

The Good Times and The Bad Ones is available for streaming on Spotify here.

Rating: 3.5/5