Recommended Tracks: “Locked and Loaded,” “Ih8yourgutz,” “Hellraiser”
Artist You May Like: The Summer Set, Mayday Parade, All Time Low
After a 15-year period with no full-length record, The Cab returns with Chasing Crowns, bringing renewed energy and a sense of nostalgia while introducing a refreshed sound to both longtime fans and new listeners.
Formed in 2005 and led by frontman Alex DeLeon, The Cab quickly rose to prominence in the late 2000s with their signature blend of pop-rock energy and emotionally driven songwriting. Known for catchy hooks and fan-favorite tracks like “Angel With A Shotgun” and “Temporary Bliss,” the band built a reputation for layered instrumentals and heartfelt storytelling.
Ahead of Chasing Crowns, the band released their 2025 EP Road to Reign: A Prelude, featuring tracks like “Pain,” “Rollercoaster,” “Every Little Lie” and “Stay This Way Forever,” offering fans an early preview of what was to come.
Told in two parts, Chasing Crowns opens like stepping into a chapel: quiet, reflective and filled with anticipation. It’s the kind of album that benefits from being heard in order, letting each moment build into the next.
The introduction (“Ultima Ratio Regum”) sets a ceremonial tone, as if the listener is witnessing the beginning of something sacred — the first step in a journey destined to test commitment before earning its reward. That sense of commitment carries into “Locked And Loaded,” where the story begins with the hopeful energy of entering a relationship, ready to give everything to someone else. But as the album unfolds, it becomes clear that love, much like faith, is tested through hardship, doubt and emotional trials.
Tracks like “Lost With You” capture the excitement of falling deeply for someone, while “Ih8yourgutz” and “Ruin Me” dive into the fallout of toxic love, anger, betrayal, and the painful realization that sometimes we allow situations to spiral too far. Closing the first act, “Every Universe” allows the chaos to fade into a moment of reflection in which the band is wishing things could have worked out, even if only in another lifetime.
By the time the album reaches its interlude, the once hopeful atmosphere feels fractured. Operatic vocals rise alongside orchestral elements, creating a moment that feels like returning to the same chapel; this time, carrying the weight of everything that has been lost. From that point forward, the album shifts into an awakening, marking new beginnings and the healing of past wounds, opening with the powerful line, “I’m not afraid to die anymore.”
“Rollercoaster” shifts the narrative toward rebuilding, acknowledging that love can be unpredictable and chaotic, yet still worth the risk once healing begins. That momentum carries into “Fuck It,” which captures the impulsive excitement of love at full force, the kind of feeling that makes you want to run away and dive headfirst into a new chapter.
As the album reaches its closing moments, “Hellraiser” stands out with its stripped back acoustic tone, offering a heartfelt perspective on parenthood. It captures the experience of welcoming a child with the person you love and embracing the responsibility that comes with it.
That sense of responsibility carries into “Tears in Reverse,” which closes the album. It’s about transforming someone once unsure of love into someone capable of showing up, offering support and becoming a protector. In that final moment, the crown no longer feels distant; it feels earned, symbolizing the responsibility of protecting the life and love built along the way.
Overall, Chasing Crowns feels like a full-circle moment for The Cab — one that reflects their growth, resilience, and deeper sense of emotional maturity. Rather than simply revisiting what made them successful in the past, the band pushes forward with purpose, leaving listeners with a sense of closure and growth from start to finish.
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