Album Review : Rise Against – Ricochet

Chris Collett
Aug 16
2 min read

Updated: Aug 19

Release Date: August 15, 2025

Label: Loma Vista Recordings

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)

A Powerful Return

Rise Against’s tenth studio album Ricochet arrives with the urgency and purpose longtime fans expect. Produced by Catherine Marks and mixed by Alan Moulder, the album enhances their signature sound with polished production while retaining their raw energy. Kerrang! described Ricochet as a collection rooted in themes of interconnectedness and endurance, and that is exactly what comes across throughout the record.

Track List

Nod
I Want It All
Ricochet
Damage Is Done
Us Against the World
Black Crown (feat. Andy Hull)
Sink Like a Stone
Forty Days
State of Emergency
Gold Long Gone
Soldier
Prizefighter

Consistency with Standout Highlights

While Ricochet does not make dramatic shifts into new sonic territory, the consistency of Rise Against continues to be one of their strengths. The record is filled with moments that connect instantly with listeners.

“Black Crown” is a powerful collaboration with Andy Hull that pushes into emotional depth. “Gold Long Gone” is one of the band’s most poignant ballad-style tracks to date, while “Nod” and “Ricochet” bring sharp urgency and punk energy. Even “Sink Like a Stone” and “Forty Days” feel cinematic and forceful. These songs prove that the band is still able to keep their sound relevant while building on what they have always done best.

Singles and Central Theme

Ricochet was preceded by three singles: “Nod” on January 24, “Prizefighter” on April 3, and “I Want It All” on May 28. Each single reinforced the central idea explained by frontman Tim McIlrath. The record is built on the concept of the ricochet effect, showing how our actions ripple outward and affect others. It is a socially aware theme that fits seamlessly into Rise Against’s history of politically and emotionally charged songwriting.

Final Thoughts

The only slight drawback is that parts of the record feel comfortably familiar. For some, that might come across as too safe. For many others, it feels like maturity and confidence. Rise Against have found a balance between keeping their voice strong and refining their songwriting.

Overall, Ricochet is a record full of purpose, intensity, and heart. It may not reinvent their sound, but it reinforces why Rise Against continue to matter after more than two decades.

Final Rating: 4.5 / 5