With Nightmare Tripping, Don Broco doesn’t try to repeat the formula that made them stand out—instead, they stretch it to an uncomfortable point. This is still a chaotic, hybrid, and excessive record, but that excess no longer feels celebratory; it feels anxious, saturated, and emotionally heavy.
The opening track, “Cellophane,” sets that shift perfectly. It’s not an immediate mosh hit, but a tense, almost claustrophobic entry where electronics, groove, and riffs feel restrained rather than explosive. “Disappear” continues with a sense of constant escape, while “Somersaults” leans into introspection.
The title track, “Nightmare Tripping,” featuring Nickelback, works more as an aesthetic statement than a straightforward hit. It’s uneven and unpredictable, but that’s the point—it reflects the risk-driven nature of the album.
The standout moment is “True Believers” with Sam Carter. This is where the band fully lands its balance between aggression, melody, and emotional weight. It’s intense, focused, and genuinely impactful.
Midway through, “Ghost In The Night” and “Euphoria” expand the sonic palette, but this is also where the album slightly loses momentum. “Pacify Me” and “Swimming Pools” work within the flow but don’t fully stand out.
“Hype Man” introduces a more vulnerable and human side, moving away from irony into emotional honesty. It’s one of the most meaningful shifts in the album.
The closing track, “The Corner,” avoids a big climax and instead leaves a lingering discomfort, reinforcing the album’s unresolved tension.
Overall, Nightmare Tripping is Don Broco’s heaviest and most emotionally dense record, but also one of their least immediate. It gains depth but loses some of its playful unpredictability. It’s not an easy listen, but it rewards attention.
