Philadelphia's The Wonder Years return with "Burst & Decay Vol. III", out on May 9 and available to pre-order now from Hopeless Records. For the first time, the third installment of their transformative, stripped-back series brings something new along with it: “Junebug,” a heartfelt song written by vocalist Dan Campbell about his younger son. Produced by Steve Evetts (Saves The Day, Lifetime), "Junebug" brims with the kind of warmth and sincerity that has long defined Dan's songwriting
Elsewhere on "Burst & Decay III", a song Campbell wrote for his older son, "Wyatt's Song (Your Name)" gets the lo-fi treatment––with the actual recording of Wyatt's in-utero heartbeat acting as the metronome. At the album's close, the cinematic intensity of "Doors I Painted Shut" finds its own standout moment thanks to vibrant vocals and guitarist Nick Steinborn's production prowess, proving that The Wonder Years can seamlessly venture into uncharted territory without ever missing a beat.
But "Burst & Decay III" isn't just about reinvention; it's about their community, too. The Wonder Years have enlisted guest vocalists to help reinterpret some of their most iconic tracks.
Knuckle Puck's Joe Taylor lends his heartfelt and dynamic vocals to a fan favorite on "Came Out Swinging"; Zayna Youssef, vocalist of Philly breakouts Sweet Pill, helps amplify the raw vulnerability of "Oldest Daughter"; and Origami Angel's Ryland Heagy delivers a tender and sincere performance on "I Don't Like Who I Was Then."
The Wonder Years are one of the most enduring forces in modern alternative. With a career spanning over a decade and a deep catalogue of releases and lore, the band continues to evolve while maintaining every fiber of honesty and vulnerability that they came here with. Having toured the globe extensively including North America, Europe, Australia, and beyond, The Wonder Years have shared the stage with My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Descendants, Thursday, Bleachers, and more. They've also created their own label and annual festival, Loneliest Place On Earth, which has hosted bands like Hot Mulligan, Origami Angel, Laura Stevenson, and more. Their latest album, The Hum Goes On Forever, debuted at #3 on the US Alternative Album Chart and was hailed as one of the best albums of the 2020s so far by Paste Magazine. Their track "Year of The Vulture" was selected as the theme song for WWE NXT's Stand and Deliver event, proving their extensive reach in both the music and entertainment worlds.
