The pop-punk genre can be difficult for some bands to stray away from; bands often don’t for fear of losing themselves and their sound completely. That doesn’t seem to be an issue for the treasured UK band, As It Is. Back with their long-awaited self-titled album As It Is, the evolved version of As It Is is here, and they’re just getting started.
As It Is is a reflection on the personal journey the band and its members have been on over the last few years. This being the first album with all of the founding members since their 2019 release, The Great Depression. As well as since the band’s self-proclaimed hiatus from 2022-2024. Longtime guitarist and songwriter Ben Biss returned to the band in September of 2024, along with the announcement of the re-recording of their debut album Never Happy, Ever After. Fans were overjoyed at his return, excited to have his missed vocal additions and the vulnerable touch he brings to songwriting.
As It Is was announced on January 7 via the band’s socials, accompanying the release of the lead single, “Ruin My Life.” The track follows similar themes of reminiscence on one’s life, much like most of the songs on As It Is. The song features Murray Macleod (The XCERTS) in the chorus, creating a warmth and fullness that accompanies lead singer Patty Walter’s unique tenor vocals.
The album opens with “I’m So Alive!” It’s a lively track that displays the band’s maturity while still tying back to the pop-punk roots they’re known for, immediately proclaiming “You’ve got me feeling/ I’m so alive!” The song feels like a full production to its core, truly setting the tone for the rest of the album. With a full choir joining in for the chorus and an incredible saxophone solo through the bridge by saxophonist Justin Klunk, it’s almost impossible to stand still. Klunk makes several appearances throughout As It Is, his stunning instrumentals also accompanying in tracks such as “Last At The Party” and “If I Ever Lost You.”
As It Is are no strangers to writing about the current political climates throughout the United States and all over the world; the band explores that within “Watching The World Go Bye.” A notable track sharing these themes on As It Is was actually a last-minute addition; “Live Laugh Love, Los Angeles” wasn’t supposed to come out before the album was released. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t supposed to be on the album at all. While the band was wrapping up recording the album in late January, they were overwhelmed by what was, and still is, happening with the ICE raids all over America. The actions hit close to home for Walters in particular as he watched these horrific events take place in his own home state. The band stated via a Rocksound interview:
“The song was about Patty’s relationship with America and being an American in the current political climate, but with that added real world context it suddenly became even more urgent and essential, not only to the album but to the album campaign.”
We shift gears as we enter the more reminiscent parts of the album, with the tracks “Do You Remember” and “Marilyn” sandwiching the powerful “Live Laugh Love, Los Angeles.” The songs compliment each other in the sense that they both share the actions of looking back on times that have taken place in your life that have shaped the person you are today. Whether that be a major event or even a person that inspires you. “Do You Remember” in particular explores the world of chosen family. It expresses the power of how some friendships may hold the deepest understanding of you, unlike certain blood family members.
“Not Anymore” is a beautiful acoustic ballad; Walter’s soft vocals are comforting despite the more somber subject matter. Heartbreak and moving forward are prevalent themes in the track, a personal struggle of acceptance that someone who was once so close to you lives on at such a distance. Over echoing vocals over soft strums, we see Walters evolve and learn to, in a way, forget.
“Now I can′t quite remember / They say nothing heals as good as time / And we’ll know that it was perfect, and it′s not anymore”
The discussion of mental health is another topic As It Is are no strangers to; “Lose Your Way & Find Yourself” was the first single the band dropped in September of 2025. Walters explains in the first verse how he took time for himself during the hiatus of the band, growing and changing within and reaching out to others when he needed. The song’s upbeat, celebratory instrumental encapsulates the new sound of As It Is perfectly as Walters pleads with the listener and encourages them to ask for help. He states that the bravest he’s ever felt was the day he reached out and asked for help.
The album concludes with a brighter reflection of the deeper topics of As It Is. “What If It All Works Out” is a rhetorical question the band seems to ask themselves. We as people are going to go through tough times; it may seem like it’s all over, but it’s what you do with yourself and that time that matters. “No one out there’s getting better / Till they make a few regrets,” is a powerful statement. Not letting past mistakes haunt you may be challenging, but trusting that everything happens for a reason is crucial so you don’t spend your life dwelling on the past. The uncertainty of the future can be terrifying, but As It Is have proven they’re ready for whatever life may throw at them.
As It Is feels like reconnecting with an old friend. Through all the inconsistencies and changes life throws at you and the distance that may bring, you’ll always find your way back to them.
Catch As It Is on tour here.
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