The Maine Gives a Glimpse at Ninth Album with “blame” and “how to exit a room”
Listening to The Maine always evokes warm nostalgia for me. Almost like revisiting middle school, if middle school didn't suck.
The Maine is one of those bands that I keep coming back to. They have been a constant presence in my earbuds, from the early stages of discovering my own musical preferences at twelve, to my emo phase at fifteen, and even as a twenty-two-year-old still clinging to my emo roots with a heightened sense of self-awareness. The Maine has always been a vital part of my personal soundtrack.
Not surprisingly, their latest dual single release has been on repeat since it dropped. “blame” and “how to exit a room” provide a tantalizing glimpse at what’s to come from the band’s ninth album. Accompanying the release of “blame” is a captivating music video directed by Guadalupe Bustos and filmed in the band’s hometown of Phoenix.
Self-reflective, “blame” explores accepting responsibility for past mistakes and wanting to make amends. While turning back the clock is impossible, the track emphasizes moving forward. "blame” is incredibly catchy with its rhythmic pacing. Featuring an infectious verse, lead singer John O’Callagan sings over the beat, “Artificial altruism/Looking for a fuss to give and/All you want is just another couple hundred likes."
The chorus takes on a different tone, infused with tension over the issue of blame. “It’s easier if I’m the one you blame for everything/For every single memory in your brain/We both got stories, but they’re not the same.”
Despite the finger-pointing in the song and the issue of who's at fault for what, it ultimately concludes with a sense of acceptance and moving forward. O’Callagan assures “I won’t hold it against you,” and true to his word, declares in the outro “I wouldn’t take it all back now.”
The second half of the album’s sneak peek is “how to exit a room.” The first verse doesn’t beat around the bush with how O’Callagan feels. Backed by driving drums and melodic guitar, he sings “I’m looking for my friends/So sick of blending in/And every night it ends/The same as it begins.”
With an explosive chorus, O’Callagan hits us with “So waste the night away/While I escape/I hate it here, I’m leaving soon/Yeah, I can show you how to еxit a room.”
As someone who loves Irish exiting and who would prefer not to be in "the room" in the first place, this song resonates deeply with me. It serves as my personal anthem, perfectly complementing "blame" while providing a distinct emotional quality that remains true to The Maine's signature sound.
The release of "blame" and "how to exit a room" has generated tremendous excitement among The Maine's fans, as they eagerly anticipate the album's arrival. Notably, the album is scheduled for release on August 1, 2023. The date holds significance for the band and their fans. 8123, initially the number displayed on the parking garage where the band members used to hang out during their childhood, has become deeply intertwined with the band's identity. It appears in their song lyrics, represents their record label, inspires fan tattoos, and serves as the name of their loyal fanbase.
So mark your calendars! 8.21.23 is a day to remember.