XV. THE DEVIL

When I had been told “This is Blink. Blink-182 is back.” Most would know I was incredulously hesitant to believe just how good “One More Time…” would be that I had refused to listen to it until my best friend had forced me to. Since that moment, I can guarantee that I have played “CUT ME OFF” a whopping 42 times according to last.fm.

It feels all-encompassing of tarot’s fifteenth major arcana, the devil. Enrapturing the listener into the realities of an unhealthy partnership (the card) or attachments - “I think you’re better alone”. Additionally, it has the capability to remind the listener of Blink’s former work, Neighborhoods, which had arrived twelve years prior. At the risk of upset, I must admit it has always been a favorite of mine. “I’m a landmine, not a lifeline (cut me off)” feels like both the quintessential Blink lyric I needed it to be while also being the type of metaphor Hoppus, Barker, and DeLonge have always loved when not bantering with vulgarities.

Blink-182, in fact, has been back. I’m just late. Catch their upcoming tour dates here. It’d be remiss to not show.

 + a special thank you to a special person for rekindling my love for Neigborhoods by reminding me of After Midnight.

written by c tuel - 5/6/24