Don Broco aren’t figuring it out anymore. That part’s done. With their fifth studio album, Nightmare Tripping, you get a band that knows exactly what it is and is running with it. Since they started out back in 2008, they’ve bounced all over the place stylistically, pulling from alt rock, pop, electronic and heavier, but this record is where it all comes together properly. It picks up from 2021’s Amazing Things in terms of energy, but there’s a bit more intention behind it now, without feeling too overly-polished. They’re fully aware of how over-the-top they can be and they’re leaning harder into it in a super fun way.
“Cellophane” opens the record and doesn’t waste a second getting into the action. It hits hard and heavy right away, with that cheeky edge they give so well. “Disappear” flips the mood a little, with a bit more of a darker feel, leaning into pop territory with falsetto vocals. On paper its a bit of a left turn, but they commit to it enough that it sticks the landing. “Somersaults” is where things start getting weird in the best way. It feels like it’s constantly on the edge of falling apart, with slower sections clashing into sudden shifts, layered instrumentation and vocals that take surprising turns. It shouldn’t hold together, but it does, and because of that it’s one of the more interesting standouts on the record.
The decision to collaborate with Nickelback on the titular track, “Nightmare Tripping” was a great one. It still feels very Don Broco, but the moment Chad Kroeger’s vocals swoop in you get that big, polished rock sound he’s known for. Instead of clashing, it elevates the track. “Ghost In The Night” pulls things back a bit. It starts off acoustic and gradually builds without pushing it too far. It’s quite restrained compared to other tracks, which makes it stand out more. Then “True Believers” with Sam Carter ramps things right back up again. It builds into an explosive chorus built for a live crowd, especially the lyrics “All you true believers, wake the fuck up”.
One of the biggest things across Nightmare Tripping is how different every song sounds without it feeling messy, an achievement which is rarely pulled off. “Euphoria” goes full glossy techno-pop, super catchy but still very much them. “Pacify Me” is a bit of a curveball, with an almost industrial sound and odd layers sitting beside a clean, simple chorus. “Swimming Pools” is lighter and more pop-leaning. It feels reminiscent of current day 5 Seconds Of Summer, which might sound like an odd comparison, but if you know, you know.
As things come to an end, it starts to feel complete. “Hype Man” comes in with this big, cinematic intro and settles into something surprisingly accessible. It mixes heavier sections with cleaner vocals and even some spoken word bits that drift close to rap. “The Corner” finishes things off in a more stripped- back way. It takes its time, which is crucial for a closing track. It builds slowly and lets the vocals do the heavy lifting.
Nightmare Tripping is an experience. Underneath the chaos and genre-hopping, there’s something very real sitting there. It feels like Don Broco are refining everything they’ve been playing around with for years. The weird ideas, cheeky energy and constant shifts are still there, but nothing feels thrown in just for the sake of it- it all feels very deliberate. They’re clearly comfortable taking risks because they know what they’re doing with them, and the result is an album that’s all over the place without losing its footing. It’s unpredictable, but not messy and it’s fun, but not shallow. For a band that’s spent years evolving, this feels like the point where it all properly lands.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Nightmare Tripping is out now.
