Get the cake prepared for the profession of love by Alex Gaskarth and All Time Low on their rousing second single of 2018, “Birthday.”

Quick – somebody cue up “Birthday Cake”, and, quite possibly, “Birthday Sex”! Why? That seems to be what Alex Gaskarth and All Time Low have in mind on their single, “Birthday.” Okay, okay – exaggerating just a bit! There is no mention of matters of the bedroom in the least, but you can just sense it – it’s a vibe.  “You know I want you in the worst way / I need you like cake on my birthday,” Gaskarth sings on the colorful chorus, sigh. Getting more focused and keeping things serious, “Birthday” marks the second single that that band has released in 2018 following “Everything is Fine”.

From the start, “Birthday” is incredibly groovy, set in a major key with a moderate tempo.  On the first verse, Gaskarth confesses his love (clear infatuation), before dropping the pre-chorus, filled with nonsensical syllables (“ba da”) and ‘teenage emotions.’ The same can be said of the second verse, where “a lot of long nights” seem to be getting to him. “I can’t say I expected something so visceral / But the way we complicate it’s simple.” As for the rest of the song, there’s the return of the teenage, puppy dog emotions and the purely infatuated chorus involving birthday cake and insinuating desire for birthday sex. Okay, okay – exaggerating and being sarcastic once again.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, “Birthday” is another enjoyable record from All Time Low.  I like the slightly slower pace and heavier production, even if the record itself is sort of lighthearted, focused on making a crush turn into a real relationship.  The theme is tried-and-true, but Gaskarth and company run with it and deliver an appealing, hard-rocking, emo/pop-punk gem.  Gaskarth’s assertiveness on the chorus stands out in particular.

All Time Low • Birthday – Single • Fueled by Ramen • Release: 6.29.18

Photo Credit: Fueled by Ramen