Seb Adams dives into the past with his new album Bittersweet Nostalgia — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The singer-songwriter’s second full-length, Bittersweet Nostalgia is a deeply personal exploration of memory, growth, and the pursuit of happiness, blending ’90s pop-punk with modern alt-rock. On this followup to his 2022 debut Between Awake & Fast Asleep, Adams combines heartfelt lyrics with infectious, energetic music inspired by a mix of classic 90s pop-punk, modern alt-rock, and his love for video games and internet culture. Featuring a diverse range of sounds and themes, the album takes listeners on a journey through nostalgia, mental health struggles, and a quest for self-discovery.
Adams, who self-produces his work, found himself at a crossroads after the release of his first album. “I was working on about 10 tracks for the second album, but I wasn’t feeling it at all,” says Adams. “On a trip with my girlfriend, I pulled out my acoustic guitar and wrote Long Gone. It was then that I realized I needed to create music that inspired me again.”
Drawing influence from the sounds that shaped his childhood — particularly bands like Guns N’ Roses and Green Day — Adams also looks to more contemporary acts such as twenty one pilots and Awolnation. Beyond the music, he found inspiration in nostalgic video games such as Guitar Hero III, Skate 2 and GTA San Andreas, as well as movies like Harry Potter, Tarzan (1999) and The Lion King (1994). The result is a unique blend of ’90s pop-punk, arcade-inspired rock, and alternative sounds, or as Adams calls it, “Arcade Pop Punk.”
On Bittersweet Nostalgia, Adams embraces his journey, blending musical influences with themes that reflect both the highs and lows of life. “Good memories can suck after a while, and memories we considered terrible can show a silver lining after a while. This is the essence of Bittersweet Nostalgia — a collection of letters to long-lost friends, beautiful strangers, and my younger self,” he explains.
The album kicks off with Rearview Mirror, a track about celebrating life and leaving negativity behind. Adams continues to reflect on the passage of time and changing relationships throughout the album, with highlights like Guitar Hero III, a melancholy anthem inspired by his own childhood, and More Than You Know, a heartfelt ode to a lost friendship. Other standouts include Worth Waiting For, an uplifting anthem about loyalty and growth, and Man In The Mirror, a raw look at addiction and heartbreak. The album closes with a stripped-down reprise of Worth Waiting For, offering a hopeful message of patience and resilience.
“Bittersweet Nostalgia, is about finding beauty in the most unexpected places,” Adams reflects. “It’s a journey through the good and bad of growing up, and how those experiences shape who we are.”
With echoes of Green Day, Yungblud, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Fall Out Boy and more, Bittersweet Nostalgia is a celebration of the power of music to heal and inspire. Adams’s signature mix of guitars, ukuleles, pianos, and synths creates a distinctive sound that’s both nostalgic and fresh — inviting listeners to relive the past while embracing the present.
Listen to Bittersweet Nostalgia below and hang out with Seb Adams on his website, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and Facebook.
