Cartel- Learning How To Cope Album Review!

Phantom Light Media

Sep 15

3 min read

Cartel is a band that somehow has slipped through my fingers for the last 16 or so years that I’ve been actively listening to music, and frankly I don’t know how that’s happened. Today, I’d like to apologize to every Cartel fan I’ve met in the wild for my ignorance - you guys were all right. “Learning How To Cope” channels 90s alt-rock and 2000s punk-pop into one of the best comeback records I’ve ever heard from a band so deeply entrenched in the Warped-era soundscape that I love. Opening track “All Singing, All Dancing” sets the tone within seconds of the first towering guitar lead, propelled to greater heights by Will Pugh’s euphoric vocal deliveries. The man is singing like his entire life was building to this moment, and the energy he channels throughout the record is a pivotal factor in how hard every tune hits. The blistering pace continues for virtually the entire album, with track after track full of driving guitars and choruses tailor-made for singalongs from sold-out crowds. It’s an album that feels like how fall felt when you were a kid - full of possibility, energetically inviting, and yet asking you to look deeper beyond all the pretty colors. There’s some beautiful moments of surprising musical choices that really stand out to me - in particular, the excellent feature from Dashboard Confessional’s Chris Carrabba on “Constants” and the subtle underlying presence of a Yellowcard-esque violin harmony during “Disarmed.” The lyrical workings really shine during the back half of the album as the energy switches from mosh-inducing to groove-setting, bringing the band’s voices to the forefront a bit more. Themes of betrayal, broken system, and inner growth contrast with the clear and overarching dissatisfaction with the ruling class on many facets. Yet hidden behind the anger and sorrow is a central message of hope and solidarity through the company of others. Cartel want people to realize that the state of the world can be countered through the strength of community, best exemplified by the line “Call me when you take up arms, cause we’re fighting for our lives / Have you noticed we’re gonna burn alive?” in the refrain to

(Photo Credit: Jayleigh Harkai)

“Supercalapocalypticexpicalidocious” (which might be my favorite song title of the year). They’re making it clear that they see music as a vehicle not only for expressing their views, but encouraging others to do the same and take comfort in the shared anger at the issues facing people around the globe. At the same time, “Shirts & Skins” urges people to stand up and speak on their beliefs now more than ever - the time for neutrality and avoiding difficult conversations is long since past. “Learning How to Cope” as an album is a triumphant return to form packed with incredible instrumentals and poignant messaging from a band fresh off a four year hiatus and ready to take their creativity to the next level. To quote Cartel themselves: “Sorry it took so long, but it’s about damn time” (“Sry Not Sry").

Cartel will officially release “Learning How to Cope”

on September 18, 2026 at a special late-night show in Atlanta following their appearance at this year’s Shaky Knees Festival. Fans can then catch the band later in the fall as they support State Champs on their “Around the World and Back AGAIN!” tour alongside Taylor Acorn.

Favorite tracks: Constants (feat. Dashboard Confessional), Shirts & Skins, Inside Out, Supercalapocalypticexpialidocious (I had to re-type that so many times)

For fans of: BOYSLIKEGIRLS, Goo Goo Dolls, Mayday Parade, Hit the Lights

Upcoming Tour Dates w/State Champs: