As It Is returned to Download Festival for the first time since 2017, and there is a clear sense that the timing could not be better.
Speaking ahead of their set, Patty Walters and Ben Biss reflect on a long-awaited comeback that not only revisits their past, but firmly introduces a heavier, more expansive era of the band.
For Biss, the festival carries a personal weight. Having attended more times as a fan than a performer, the opportunity to bring newer material to a Download crowd feels particularly significant. With songs from their heavier catalogue now part of the set, alongside fresh material, the band are embracing a version of As It Is that has evolved well beyond their earlier pop-punk roots.
That evolution is most evident in their upcoming self-titled album, due July 17. Marking the first full-length written together in eight years, the record was shaped by a notably different approach.
Recorded in the UK for the first time, the band traded pressure and precision for spontaneity, allowing ideas to develop naturally in the moment.
Walters describes it as less polished but more honest, capturing snapshots of creativity rather than overworked compositions.
There is also a willingness to take risks. Live Laugh Love Los Angeles, initially not intended for the album, became impossible to ignore, bolstered by its bold use of saxophone and sharp thematic edge.
Elsewhere, fans can expect unexpected influences, including softer, ballad-driven moments and even hints of early Avril Lavigne.
Check out the full interview here: