Magnolia Park

Magnolia Park emerged as a Florida outfit intent on sidestepping any single category, drawing freely from stylistic, thematic, and cultural sources without hesitation. Although their core sound centers on energetic pop-punk, they weave in contemporary pop, hip-hop, emo, and electronic textures, while the racially diverse ensemble delivers emotionally direct lyrics that capture moments of elation, struggle, or both simultaneously. After issuing nearly a dozen standalone singles and digital releases as an independent act, the Orlando group aligned with Epitaph, which put out their Halloween Mixtape in 2021 and their debut proper, Baku's Revenge, the following year.

The six musicians—Joshua Roberts handling lead vocals, Freddie Criales and Tristan Torres sharing guitar duties, Jared Kay on bass, Vincent Ernst on keyboards, and Joe Horsham behind the drums—came together in 2019, each already seasoned from earlier work across the local circuit that spanned pop-punk and metalcore. Early material echoed the styles of Panic! At the Disco, Linkin Park, Paramore, and Gym Class Heroes, yet the direction shifted once Tristan Torres confronted severe depression and suicidal thoughts. His resulting composition, “Outside,” was tracked in 2020 and marked the first move toward greater sonic risk. The band thereafter committed to addressing lived experience in their words, while their broadening palette—often folding metal guitar textures, pop hooks, punk drive, Auto-Tuned singing, and rap-derived phrasing into one piece—reflected a parallel wish for openness; that openness is mirrored in a lineup that unites Black, Latin, and white members.

They soon connected with producer Andrew Wade, known for sessions with A Day to Remember, Wage War, and the Dead Rabbits among others. Also based in Florida, Wade responded to the group’s exploratory bent and guided their recordings through a steady output that included five singles in 2020 followed by three singles and two EPs in 2021. A collaboration with 408 and Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens yielded the single “Mark Hoppus,” a playful reflection on inhabiting the life of the blink-182 bassist, which expanded their reach. Touring increased accordingly, with headline club dates and support slots alongside Simple Plan and Sum 41. The heightened visibility led Epitaph to sign them; the label had the band record nine tracks, four of which became the 2022 EP Heart Eater, while also reissuing the prior year’s Halloween Mixtape. Further singles such as “Don't Be Racist,” “How Could You,” and “Catastrophe” appeared while the full-length took shape, culminating in Baku’s Revenge in November 2022. Framed loosely around the recurring character Baku featured in the band’s artwork, the album featured guest contributions from Derek Sanders of Mayday Parade, country artist Taylor Acorn, and electronic-pop songwriter FRED.