If you’ve been following Ricky Rochelle’s career—or even just his social media—you’ve seen a songwriter and human being growing into his confidence. That makes the musical and lyrical content of his new solo LP Second Layer not entirely surprising, but still impressive in its execution. Rochelle peels back his inner life, turning themes of anxiety, anger, and self-doubt into cathartic, hook-filled songs. He shares his frustrations openly, but also his hard-won wisdom about healing, showing that the best revenge is becoming a better person than those who hurt you.
What makes the record even stronger is how it expands the listener’s sense of what pop punk—often a tightly defined genre—can sound like in 2025. At the core, you’ve got the dual punch of Scenederella and Highlight Reel, two classic Rochelle pop punk anthems that are irresistibly catchy. But the album stretches far beyond: the Police-like shimmer of Good News, I Love You, the dynamic modern rock sweep of So Fucking Beautiful, or Before It Was Too Late, an electropop track so personal and literal it’s impossible not to be moved by it. Some songs may take a spin or two to fully land, but the payoff is deeper appreciation with each listen.
Second Layer is an ambitious, serious record that carries the appeal and fun of pop punk while broadening its emotional and stylistic reach. And it’s not all darkness—there are love songs here too, reminders that Rochelle’s range is as wide as it is heartfelt.
Out now on Lighthouse Records.