Weezer – Weezer (Gold Album) — (Album Review)

Yes, this is Weezer’s seventh self-titled album.

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TOP 5 SONGS

5. Say Yes

Would you just “Say Yes” to everything to avoid discomfort?

I really like how the song starts off a little softer before eventually diving into Weezer’s signature rock sound. Lyrically, it’s about people trying to drag you down and feeling like the best thing you can do is simply give in to the idea of selling out as a band. I think that concept can work on a more personal level too, especially when it feels easier to comply just so people will leave us alone.

This one also feels like it could connect with a mainstream audience because it leans more toward pop punk and pop rock than hard rock, which may actually be the point considering the song’s admission of selling out.

4. C.E.O.

“C.E.O.” feels like listening to a series of voice notes sent to a friend, partner, or someone close. The vocals lean away from being traditionally melodic and instead feel more like someone simply talking through their emotions, realizations, and the expectations placed on the band.

After their rise in the ’90s, there’s clearly pressure to keep chasing that sound while also dealing with being viewed primarily as a nostalgia act. I also think the song can extend beyond the band itself and speak to the expectations we deal with in our personal lives. That’s what makes this one stand out to me because it gives a very human touch to the experiences artists go through.

3. Don’t Make It Weird

I love a good introspective, alt-rock moment.

I’m a really big fan of how the guitars and overall instrumentals stay at the forefront of this track. It’s very pop-punk in a way that still loudly represents the genre without feeling like it’s trying too hard.

The song gives off this mix of social anxiety and detachment, which I weirdly found pretty comforting and relatable. There’s something about hearing those feelings wrapped in such an energetic instrumental that makes them easier to connect with. Honestly, though, this track gave me major “Teenage Dirtbag” vibes. Wrong band, I know!

2. We Might as Well Be Strangers (feat. Wednesday)

Sometimes two people just aren’t meant to be together, but goodbyes are still painful.

I really like the contrasting vibe at the beginning. We get a soft intro for a few seconds before the song suddenly dives into a preview of its heavier rock sound, then transitions back into a slower melody. That contrast fits the song’s subject matter perfectly because it’s all about the sadness of watching a once-close relationship fall apart. There’s this realization that the relationship has become too toxic and that both people are simply growing apart. It’s such a painful moment when you know it’s time to let go, even if neither person necessarily wants to.

The song conveyed that emotion so well that I genuinely felt transported into the relationship being described. Wednesday’s verse also added another layer by giving us the other person’s perspective, and her soothing voice worked beautifully against the sadness of the song.

1. Up In the Clouds

Change is inevitable, and sometimes we just have to let go.

I really enjoyed the calm, acoustic sound at the start of the song. It was a perfect contrast to much of the album, making the transition into the more upbeat, guitar-heavy section feel even more impactful. That’s not to say the louder moment was any less enjoyable. I’m a sucker for rock music and loud guitars. What can I say?

The song touches on similar themes of letting go, explored several times throughout the album. It feels like a tower moment, where some kind of major change, whether it’s death, heartbreak, or something else, completely shakes your world. I think the way Weezer captures those emotions and makes you actually feel them is top-tier.

SONG-BY-SONG RATING

Say Yes (4/5)

Shine Again (4/5)

Don’t Make It Weird (4.5/5)

We Might as Well Be Strangers (feat. Wednesday) (4.5/5)

C.E.O. (4/5)

Hoops (3.5/5)

Nowhere (3.5/5)

The Show Must Go On (4/5)

Up In the Clouds (4.5/5)

The LA Sound (4/5)

RGM RATING

(B-)

Weezer’s latest self-titled album, “Weezer (Gold Album),” explores themes of introspection, reflection, living up to everyone else’s expectations, and ultimately learning to let go. I really enjoyed the album’s angsty, garage-band energy, which feels like such a staple of Weezer’s sound. There are definitely a few songs here that could sneak their way into one of my playlists.