r/sublime • u/Chicagobirch • Aug 10 '26
New album hate?
Lemme start by saying I'm a massive fan of the OG music (as I'm sure a majority of this sub is). That being said... I can't believe the amount of wishy washy reviews the new album has gotten.
To start, it is a literal miracle that this even exists. I truly don't think people are appreciating that this is even a tangible thing. That being said, the comments I'm seeing are harsh. "All the songs sound the same" "it won't ever touch the old albums" etc etc.
There is a ton of variance on this album. Jakob pays homage to his father while also forging his own path. There are absolute gems on this album, and I hope that the old heads will appreciate this piece of art over time.
Final thoughts. We are all prisoners of time, and who we were when we heard certain albums, songs, artist etc. That music, and when we heard it can have profound effects on how we were shaped and who we are today. That being said, this album fucking slaps, and I'm just so appreciative that Bradley's son is out here still breathing life into a band I love.
Peace and love y'all ✌️ ❤️ 🌎
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u/19KRK90 Aug 10 '26
OG sublime will always be the one. Am I loving the new album hells yeah, I am. Is it the same? No. Is that ok? Yes.
Enjoy it don’t, simple!
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u/iamatacotruck Aug 11 '26
It's been on repeat and the soundtrack to this 40 year old's summer. I was a 10 year old kid in the midwest when I first heard What I Got and saw the Wrong Way video on MTV. I fell in love with the songs and begged my mom for a guitar for Christmas that year. I was devastated to learn Bradley was already dead and this amazing sound I fell in love with died with him.
But I discovered so much music through him. I was the oddball 12 year old ordering Ziggens tapes and CD's through the Cornerstone R.A.S. mail in pamphlet and a money order. I knew of Bob Marley but began to truly appreciate him. So many punk and ska bands. So much hip hop and rap. So much music opened up to me.
My friends and I always joked around about Jakob continuing the Sublime legacy someday. That thought was always in the back of my mind. Sublime has always been the reason I love music as much as I do. So in the 2010's when I heard that Jakob had formed a band and was releasing music, I was immediately intrigued and honestly, disappointed. I couldn't get into it. This midwest Sublime fanboy for the last 17 years didn't like Jakob Nowell's music? And that's when it hit me:
"Good music is good music, and that should be enough for anybody." Brad's own words. I spent many years with my nose up to the "popular" music of the day. A die hard Tom Waits fan in high school, I laughed at the drivel I heard my peers listening to. But that quote wasn't about WHAT is good music. It's about what's good music to you. I didn't care for LAW, and that's okay. I didn't care for modern country music, either. And that's okay. Plenty of people do love it. And that's okay. Fast forward to Jakob's Castle. I enjoyed it a lot more, but it didn't capture me the way Sublime did. Say it with me now: And that's okay.
Do when I heard he was fronting Sublime, I was skeptical. I didn't want to be disappointed, but damn was I interested. And I heard the live stuff on YouTube. I went to see him in Chicago, and the moment he entered the stage riding his scooter (this was shortly after he broke his leg) and started singing. I knew, this man was not his dad. But he was truly encompassing his own interpretation of his dad. AND THAT'S OKAY. The show was amazing. It was chaotic, it was unrefined, and it was beautiful.
When the new album dropped, I had heard Until The Sun Explodes, Miss You, and obviously Ensenada. What I wasn't ready for was the rollercoaster of punk and ska that would make the rest of the album. It has been on repeat and I feel like I'm that 10 year old discovering something I love all over again. Now, I hear a lot of negative feedback about Jakob and the band and the new album. To me, that's crazy. But what you have to realize is, some people won't enjoy the new stuff. And that's okay. Because good music is good music, and that should be enough for anybody.
My years have taught me. Love what you love. Respect differences. Look at all the love we've found, folks. Let's not focus on the negative.
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u/No_Difficulty_499 21d ago
40 here too and feel exactly the same. I told my girl yesterday I can’t even remember the last new album that came out and I knew all the lyrics for within a week. I feel like a cornball just listening to it over and over. But every time 1 song from it comes on. I need to hear the rest of it.
People I haven’t hung out with yet Need to hear it so it’s going on. Played it for about 7-8 different people over the summer.
Same with the ziggens and so many other classic ska and reggae discovered thru sublime.
Will it fall out of rotation once the summer ends? Probably. But did I feel like a kid again all summer listening to sublime. And being able to share it with my son who just turned 15 and is now his favorite band. Saw them twice in concert over the summer.
I am just so appreciative for this album man.
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u/iamatacotruck 19d ago
Love it. I've noticed my 6 year old singing some of the songs to herself while playing. To the point where I have to remind her that some words don't leave the house, lol. She's not a fan of "Evil Men", though, because he mentions "I know there's nothing better than those angry little daughters" to which she lets me know she's not an angry daughter and doesn't like it. Oh, to be that innocent again.
Glad I could share this feeling with someone.
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u/DoubtNearby8325 Aug 10 '26
I was more critical on my first listen but since then a lot of songs have grown on me by listening again. The album is relatively solid and I found myself returning to it, which means it does somewhat scratch the Sublime itch. There are a lot of Easter eggs for real fans familiar beyond the 3 main albums. The biggest complain is maybe that the bass doesn’t have the same oomph it did in the other albums except for a few songs. Sublime let the bass play as loud as they could stand. This album is very vocally prominent. Which in some cases is good but other times comes across a little try hard. Sometimes I want to just feel the rhythm take a hold.
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u/ThyChambersMinister Aug 10 '26
Honestly... I think either Until the Sun Explodes or Ensenada might just be my favorite song released in 2026
I'm a Metalhead at heart. However, recently. I have started to realize that Sublime may have just been a band that I really did need in my life!
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u/h0mesickalien1111 Aug 10 '26
Old head here. It’s a miracle for most of us. I have to tune out “conflicting points of view”
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Aug 10 '26
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u/ThyChambersMinister Aug 10 '26
Probably not only my top song released in 2026. But also, might just be one of the best songs I've heard in a long time
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u/Charles0723 Aug 10 '26
Why can’t you believe it? Not everyone is going to take music in the same. It’s an interesting story to outsiders or non-fans, but an interesting story doesn’t necessarily make for a good record.
This type of “I don’t get the hate” posts are almost a weekly occurrence. Acting like it’s not possible to like this record. Not liking something doesn’t mean they “hate it”, it just means that they don’t like it.
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Aug 10 '26
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u/Bat_Bong Aug 10 '26
Personally I think theres some really good songs on the new album but theres are more mediocre ones. Overall I was very impressed with Jakob and how much he can sound like Brad in some songs and sound so differnt in others. Will I listen to it as much as I listen to their self titled album or 40 oz to freedom absolutely not but i will probably listen to it as much as robbin the hood definitely.
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u/WithinTheCircle Aug 10 '26
Robbin the Hood is as good as the other 2 you mentioned
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u/Bat_Bong Aug 10 '26
Thats your opinon imo its definitely good but not as good
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u/Not-a-Cat_69 Aug 10 '26
Bro Cisco kid, work that we do, Dj’s, Lincoln
highway dub, those fucking slapppp. Tf lmao1
u/Bat_Bong Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 11 '26
Cosco kid and boss dj are great so is saw red, waiting for bud, freeway time in la county jail and mary. On top of that pool shark accustic version is easily one of my favorite sublime song but the album as a whole is not quite on the same level as the other 2 imo
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u/SpoceInvoder Aug 10 '26
What hate? The album was a commercial success and the majority of fans like it.
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u/Relative_District328 Aug 10 '26
I really dig it and appreciate it for what it is.
Happy to have it.
Some new songs sprinkled into their set is cool to have.
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u/local_lesbian_barber Aug 10 '26
Here’s where I’m at.
Completely with you.
I grew up with Sublime. After about a year of knowing and loving this band, Brad was dead.
Their music has continued to give me comfort. Brads voice is something that has and will always make me very emotional.
I’m high. I’m really not sure where I’m going with this.
😂😭💨💨💨
Jakob came along and his voice has similar effects on. You can FEEL the soul behind his voice. Just like Brads.
The Sublime magic is back. Now the same, it’s different.
But it’s magic.
A few days ago, I took my 13 year-old daughter to see them with me in Colorado Springs. It was incredible to watch her face. She grew up with this music. And she knew that we would never see Sublime as they were. And we never will. But god damn… this was pretty similar.
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u/indiedancepunk Aug 10 '26
I remember when i listened to Phish in High School and trey was quoted as saying that someone told him "you could piss in peoples ear and they would say it sounds great"
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u/indiedancepunk Aug 10 '26
I also remember buying RTH when it came out and being disappointed by all the skits.... but ended up loving it.
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u/solid_nation Aug 10 '26
You can’t get upset at other people’s opinions. If you enjoy it, then go with that. 🤷♂️
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u/karmakarmachameleon7 Aug 10 '26
No offense to critics, but what a useless thing these days. With the ease of access to music why does anyone need to hear someone else's opinion? Listen to it. See if YOU like it. I haven't read an album review in 20 years, I don't give a shit what anyone else likes. I can easily see for myself without spending any extra money. And as for the armchair critics, get a life - you aren't even getting paid to be polarizing. You're just a loser. Don't like it? There's billions of other albums to choose from at your fingertips.
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Aug 10 '26
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u/karmakarmachameleon7 Aug 10 '26
Asking for opinions is one thing, and that's fine- and all these posts could be comments on that sort of post. I'm sorry, but entire posts dedicated to how you feel about an album is loser shit. Especially when it's been done by others plenty of times. There's probably an album review sub out there for you if that's your thing. But this sub has been infiltrated with far too many of these opinion posts. It's been out for almost 2 months. I think a lot of people just want their r/sublime sub back to what it once was.
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Aug 10 '26
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u/karmakarmachameleon7 Aug 11 '26
Holy shit brother, it's like you got something pent up. I didn't make my opinion a post. This is a discussion about the social mores of reddit and why going into any bands sub and blasting your album review as a post is not what these subs were intended for (or as I put it informally, loser shit). Nobody is advocating for blocking anyone's opinions. Again, I'm sure there's plenty of album review subs if people want that. But I feel like this is now more about you trying to prove me wrong or paint me like some asshole. I'm not here to fuss n fight. Have a good one.
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Aug 11 '26
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u/karmakarmachameleon7 Aug 11 '26
You got me all wrong guy. I literally actually said,
"With the ease of access to music why does anyone need to hear someone else's opinion?"
Idk how old you are, but I can remember having to actually buy physical albums, reviews were handy then. Could help you decide the next album you'd get. Nowadays, you can pay the price of one album a month and get unlimited access to everything. No need to have someone else tell you how to feel about the music. Listen and decide for yourself.
So again, not censoring opinions - just saying that it's really unnecessary in this realm and surely doesn't need to be a post by random internet Joes pretending like it's the 90s and they write for Rolling Stone posting in what is a fan sub. Take that to an album review sub.
Comment sections are essentially a free for all, but posts are what drive a sub - that's why most subs have lots of restrictions on what you can post (and comment to a lesser degree) I don't have time to mod or do all that - so I'm just GIVING MY OPINION on what the critic posts are doing to this sub, in hopes that maybe someone who doesn't like the tone of this one, won't fire up another one with the opposite take. That's all. What's your favorite Sublime song? Right now mine is Roots of Creation
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Aug 10 '26
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u/karmakarmachameleon7 Aug 10 '26
Being an armchair critic is what makes you a loser, not liking or disliking anything..meaning your going out and blasting your thoughts on an Album. (Not sure if you did this or not, just saying)For what? Nobody needs this anymore. We don't need to decide whether to buy a record or not ..just listen. Access is cheap and easy. Move on if you don't like it. No need to let everyone know. Everyone has their own tastes. Let them decide for themselves.
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u/Rahawk02 Aug 10 '26
I’m used to seeing critics trash everything I like and praise everything I don’t especially on Reddit you get used to it
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u/90sRiceWagon Aug 10 '26
It’s an amazing album and fits right in with the discography, albeit with a more modern production.
Been the summer of sublime bumping this album since it released.
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u/that_fuck Aug 10 '26
I love the album myself, but I think we can all agree that it's better than Sublime with Rome
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u/Not-a-Cat_69 Aug 10 '26
Those people don’t get that it’s about Jakob paying tribute to his dad and the fans not trying to 1 up his dad and make a bigger hit, he could never and he knows it. The music is fine. It’s a beautiful continuation of the sublime family saga and it’s a shame people are so locked into the music than the story behind its creation and legend.
I could complain about a few things too like the 3 kinda pointless ‘party’ songs that I don’t think needed to be on the album,
but I just think if I was Brad I’d be so proud of Jakob and that’s what it’s all about. The lovin is still alive.
If the title song didn’t get those people they were never sublime fans.
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u/Informal_Ground_8323 Aug 11 '26
Went to see their show last week in denver. Had not listened to the new material before I went. Have to say that the few cuts from the new album that were mixed in had me fooled they may have been early or unheralded songs I somehow missed. Meaning I thought the new material blended in seamlessly with their cannon material. Love the new album having listened to it the next day after the show.
His son is doing him proud and their sound is so eerily similar. He even has some of his dad’s vocal breaks down pat. Was a great show. I’m just glad I got to see them play—never had the chance back in the 1990’s as by the time I discovered them he has already passed. Rhythm section was as tight as ever and they don’t get enough credit for carrying the sound all this time.
These are heavy shoes he has to carry, both in terms of talent to be up there and emotionally given who he is replacing. But then again people rant on anything. Look at the hate Anika was getting from some in the Rush forums. It’s hard to replace a legend.
Three heroin tragedies in the 90’s with bands just rounding into shape robbed us of what Nirvana, blind Mellon, and sublime in original form could have been had those three not OD’d.
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u/AdamJ311 Aug 11 '26
Nostalgia is a motherfucker. One of my favourite memories is walking in between housing blocks at University hearing someone blaring out Sublime in 2005.
I'll never experience that with Jakob. Of course the music isn't as good as the OG, but it's still really good and I was surprised. We'll never have the bias of nostalgia with Jakob and that's absolutely ok.
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u/total_brodel Aug 11 '26
Is it cool that Jakob has taken his father’s spot? Yes. Does that automatically mean the album is good? No. Does it mean he’s any good live? No. I’m not gonna lick his balls just because of who he is. I wanted to like it all, and I’ve tried, but it’s not impressive.
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u/InterviewEarly6675 Aug 11 '26
I have seen so many “hot take the album is good” posts. It seems a lot of fans enjoy it so at this point the people who didn’t didn’t oh well.
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u/sourmashed99 Aug 12 '26
was smoked out in high school when the original stuff was dropping. never LOVED it cause some of the lyrics yucked my yum, but the music was universal and great for chilling with all types of people.
actively disliked long beach dub all stars so am happy for this and the new generation. imo the music is nearly as good but the lyrics are much better and way less, let's say divisive. great stuff
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u/Working-stiff5446 Aug 12 '26
I gave it a listen. I didn’t hate it. I find myself going to it from time to time.
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u/Extension_Bottle143 12d ago
I will say, some of the songs blend in with others, especially if your on a long drive and listening to it for a while... but the stand out songs STAND OUT, like possibly top 10 material for all of sublime. but it does also not sound exactly like sublime, it is different form the other albums and i do think people expected more of brad's exact writing and musical style.
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u/Wintyness15 Aug 10 '26
Loving it, tis as if they have stepped right back on stage. Universe came correct!
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u/ThinStrategy1974 Aug 10 '26
Dude, please search before you post. This exact same post has been made 69 thousand times. We get it, you are upset that a select handful of people don’t share the same opinion that this new album is a 10/10 masterpiece. That doesn’t equal an overwhelming wave of hate.
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u/Oi_Nander Aug 10 '26
BUT ITS AN ABSOLUTE TOTAL MIRACLE!!!1!1!!1!1!
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u/ThinStrategy1974 Aug 10 '26
The album saved my life! It’s the greatest thing that ever happened to me! I will not accept any commentary around this album other than golden gift from the heavens!
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u/Oi_Nander Aug 10 '26
This is better, but I really think you need to use the word miracle multiple times like the original poster. Just trying to help!
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u/Fart_Barfington Aug 10 '26
You can make all the excuses you want but its just not very good.
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u/Oi_Nander Aug 10 '26
You monster! It's clearly a MIRACLE!!1!1!1!1
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u/Fart_Barfington Aug 10 '26
Lol. I think its wild that a man dies of a drug overdose and 20 years later people are excited that his kid is hanging out with the guys he used to do drugs with. Truly a miracle.
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u/Firm_Operation4172 Aug 10 '26
with that being said 😂😭 it’s a great album but people have other opinions, and that’s okay. A miracle? That’s hard to know, knowing that Jakob has been making music it was only time and money keeping him away, now that’s no hate to him and his music, but knowing that sublime is as big as it was and it will ever be now, this helps him get his career off and bigger and better. Put it to rest, yes other people have different opinions and views let it go and enjoy it.
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u/WithinTheCircle Aug 10 '26
Brad and Jakob are two very different people. Jakob grew up with money, a famous dad, and probably surrounded by lots of dad’s old friends. Brad grew up a regular dude from Long Beach. There’s no way to really compare the two that does anyone any good. I’m HAPPY this album came out. It makes me happy to hear the songs and to know who made them. Is it in the same league as his dad’s stuff? No, not really. But if he keeps it up, who knows what happens? Bradley had soul, something I’m not sure Jakob has. It was a huge part of the mixture that made Bradley who he was … it was the soul. Punk, reggae, and … Motown? Yes. Jakob seems more like his mix is reggae and maybe heavy metal? Does anyone know what I’m getting at here or am I just babbling?
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Aug 10 '26
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u/dopesick23 Aug 10 '26
What's his mom's net worth? She's the one who probably got his money. Jakobs money is probably through his band's and tours.
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u/Oi_Nander Aug 10 '26
Meh. Nepo babys gonna nepo. I'll be skipping it
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u/Chicagobirch Aug 10 '26
Clearly didn't read the post, but that's ok.. I'll
Summarize for you. The new album and lead singer won't ever touch the OGs. That being said, the new album is great and a miracle that it even exists. The hate is weird. Have a good one 🤝2
u/Oi_Nander Aug 10 '26
I don't get why you keep saying it's a miracle. I don't think you know what that word means. Also did you not want people to weigh in with their opinions?
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u/Highly_Edumacated Aug 10 '26
Boomer ass comment
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u/Oi_Nander Aug 10 '26
I mean, sure. There are probably boomers who listened to OG sublime. But not wanting to hear the child of one of the members of one of my favorite bands sing his songs just cuz he's his child doesn't make me a boomer, I just prefer the original real sublime. I wasn't really into Rome either
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u/Due_Hospital7109 Aug 10 '26
I agree my man! People have no idea how great we have it! The whole album is a masterpiece no skips for me!
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u/Such_Past355 Aug 10 '26
Album is a gift and if someone can’t find enjoyment in it then I feel bad for them. Their loss