For course of action that someone is required to take, see obligation.
No Obligation
studio
CoverNo Obligation.jpg
Artistthe Linda Lindas
ReleasedOctober 11, 2024
Recorded2024
Studio
Length35:22
LanguageEnglish · Spanish
LabelEpitaph
ProducerCarlos de la Garza
Prev year2022

No Obligation is the second studio album by American rock band the Linda Lindas. Epitaph Records released the album on October 11, 2024. It was produced again by Carlos de la Garza, the father of band members Lucia and Mila de la Garza. Recording sessions for No Obligation took place at Henson Recording, Sunset Sound, and Music Friends Studios in Los Angeles in 2024. Six singles were released from the album: "Too Many Things", "Resolution/Revolution", "All in My Head", "Yo Me Estreso", and the title track "No Obligation", and "Nothing Would Change".

Background

Following the release of their debut studio album, Growing Up (2022),[1][2] "Too Many Things" was the Linda Lindas' first release of 2023.[3][4] The band subsequently opened for Paramore on the North American leg of the This Is Why Tour.[5][6]

Writing and recording

No Obligation was written between 2022 and 2024, whenever the Linda Lindas had time outside of school or touring.[7] Writing sessions occurred on holiday breaks and long weekends.[8]

Recording sessions for No Obligation took place at Henson Recording, Sunset Sound, and Music Friends Studios in Los Angeles in 2024.[9][10]

Composition

Lyrics

The track "All in My Head" was written from the perspective of a character from the 2018 novel My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh. Guitarist Lucia de la Garza called it a "break from reality".[11]

Music

In a press release, the band said they would be experimenting with post-punk, garage rock, power pop, new wave, and rock en español on the album.[12] At the time of its announcement, the band members ranged from 13 to 19 years old, with Bela Salazar having finished high school, Mila de la Garza having finished middle school, and Lucia de la Garza and Eloise Wong in high school.[13] "All in My Head" has been described by Lucia as more indie song, due to its use of an acoustic guitar.[14] "Too Many Things" is a pop-punk song.[15][16][17] Staff at Paste call the song "an anthemic slice of rock 'n' roll".[5] "Resolution/Revolution" is classified as a punk rock[18][19] and power pop[20] song, with influences from riot grrrl style.[21] In a review at Far Out, editor Aimee Ferrier says the song "[blends] the accessibility of pop with the raw energy and power of punk."[22] "Resolution/Revolution" was influenced by Pantera and Judas Priest, as Bela Salazar had been listening to them.[23]

Release and promotion

Singles and music videos

No Obligation was released on October 11, 2024, by Epitaph Records.[11] The album spawned six singles: "Too Many Things", "Resolution/Revolution", "All in My Head", "Yo Me Estreso", "No Obligation", and "Nothing Would Change". "Too Many Things" was released as a single preceding the album on April 10, 2023.[24] Its music video for was directed by Ryan Baxley,[25] and featured the band in a diner, acting as both waiters and customers.[26][27] The second single, "Resolution/Revolution", was released on July 31, 2023.[28] The music video for "Resolution/Revolution" was animated by Bela Salazar and edited by Eloise Wong.[29] It was shot by the band members on their phones.[30] "Yo Me Estreso" was released on August 13, 2024, and features "Weird Al" Yankovic playing the accordion.[31] "No Obligation" was released as the fifth single on September 10,[32] followed by "Nothing Would Change" on October 7.[33]

Touring

The Linda Lindas embarked on a tour from July to September 2024, both on their own and opening for the Saviors Tour by Green Day, along with the Smashing Pumpkins, and Rancid.[7][8] In October 2024, the band announced their 2025 North American Tour, with concerts during March and April.[34]

Critical reception

[35] Similarly, aggregator AnyDecentMusic? assigned the album a score of 7.7/10 based on 13 critic reviews.[36]

Reviewing the album for AllMusic, Neil Z. Yeung called it, "a breath of fresh air," and "a reminder that punk can be fun and pure without losing its impact or message. The Linda Lindas give us all hope that the kids will be alright."[37]

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Bandcamp release.[9]

The Linda Lindas

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of No Obligation.[38]

  • Bela Salazar – guitar, vocals
  • Eloise Wong – bass guitar, piano, vocals
  • Lucia de la Garza – guitar, vocals
  • Mila de la Garza – drums, percussion, vocals

Additional musicians

"Yo Me Estreso"

  • "Weird Al" Yankovic – accordion
  • India Anderson – tuba
  • Kye Palmer – trumpet

Technical personnel

Packaging

  • Eloise Wong – art
  • Wendy Lau – design
  • Zen Sekizawa – art photography
  • Jessie Cowan – band portrait
  • Kiki Stash – outfits
  • Faye Aguilar – hair, makeup

Charts

Chart performance for No Obligation
Chart (2024)Peak
position

Release history

Release history for No Obligation
RegionDateLabelFormat
VariousOctober 11, 2024EpitaphCD, digital download, LP

Notes

  1. ^ At Henson Recording Studios
  2. ^ At Sunset Sound Recorders

References

  1. ^ Paul, Larisha (April 10, 2023). "The Linda Lindas Return Recharged and Enlightened on 'Too Many Things'". Rolling Stone. Archived June 1, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "Listen: The Linda Lindas release 'Too Many Things' single ahead of Coachella". United Press International. Archived April 10, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  3. ^ Johnson, Tommy (April 10, 2023). "The Linda Lindas Return With New Single 'Too Many Things'". Ghettoblaster. Archived July 17, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  4. ^ Major, Michael. "The Linda Lindas Release New Single 'Too Many Things'". BroadwayWorld. Archived April 27, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  5. ^ "The Linda Lindas Release New Single 'Too Many Things,' Announce Summer Tour". Paste Magazine. Archived August 1, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  6. ^ "PARAMORE ANNOUNCES LONG AWAITED NORTH AMERICA ARENA TOUR WITH SUPPORT FROM FOALS & BLOC PARTY + MORE". Live Nation. November 4, 2022. Archived November 16, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  7. ^ Hatfield, Amanda (July 16, 2024). "The Linda Lindas announce new LP No Obligation". Alternative Press Magazine. Archived July 16, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  8. ^ "The Linda Lindas Say It 'All' With New Single, Album". Spin. July 16, 2024. Archived July 16, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  9. ^ "No Obligation, by The Linda Lindas". Bandcamp. Archived July 17, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  10. ^ "The Linda Lindas – No Obligation", Epitaph Records, October 11, 2024, archived July 17, 2024 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved July 17, 2024
  11. ^ Gregory, Allie (July 16, 2024). "The Linda Lindas Unveil Sophomore Album No Obligation". Exclaim!. Archived July 16, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  12. ^ Mier, Tomás (July 16, 2024). "The Linda Lindas Preview No Obligation LP With New Song". Rolling Stone. Archived July 16, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  13. ^ Malin, Marina (July 16, 2024). "The Linda Lindas Announce New Album and Share Video for New Single 'All In My Head'". Under the Radar. Archived July 16, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Glide (July 16, 2024). "The Linda Lindas Announce New Album No Obligation Out 10/11 Via Epitaph". Glide Magazine. Archived July 16, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  15. ^ "The Linda Lindas Share 'Too Many Things': Stream". Consequence of Sound. April 10, 2023. Archived May 21, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  16. ^ Duran, Anagricel (April 12, 2023). "Listen to The Linda Lindas' fierce new single 'Too Many Things'". NME. Archived March 29, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  17. ^ Wallis, Matt (April 11, 2023). "It's Official: The Linda Lindas Share 'Too Many Things'". Punktuation!. Archived September 29, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  18. ^ "The Linda Lindas Drop Single 'Resolution/Revolution': Stream". Consequence of Sound. July 31, 2023. Archived March 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  19. ^ "Linda Lindas Shares Retro New Single 'Resolution/Revolution'". Mxdwn. July 31, 2023. Archived July 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  20. ^ Sosa, David (August 11, 2023). "The Linda Lindas Prove One Again, They're a Movement, Not a Moment on New Punk Single 'Resolution/Revolution'". Grimy Goods. Archived March 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  21. ^ Schade, Alessandra. "The Linda Lindas deliver a retro punk anthem on 'Resolution/Revolution'". Alternative Press Magazine. Archived March 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  22. ^ Ferrier, Amy (August 1, 2023). "The Linda Lindas share bombastic song 'Resolution/Revolution'". Far Out. Archived March 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  23. ^ Carter, Emily (August 1, 2023). "Listen to The Linda Lindas' killer new single, 'Resolution/Revolution'". Kerrang!. Archived February 4, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  24. ^ "The Linda Lindas: 'Too Many Things'". Punknews. April 10, 2023. Archived December 8, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  25. ^ "The Linda Lindas make time and space for 'Too Many Things'". Vanyaland. May 22, 2023. Archived May 27, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  26. ^ Blistein, Jon (May 22, 2023). "The Linda Lindas Order the Whole Menu in New 'Too Many Things' Video". Rolling Stone. Archived May 31, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  27. ^ Happy (May 23, 2023). "The Linda Lindas serve up punk rock passion in 'Too Many Things' music video". Happy Mag. Archived September 29, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
  28. ^ "The Linda Lindas – 'Resolution/Revolution'", Epitaph Records, July 31, 2023, archived July 17, 2024 at the Wayback Machine, retrieved March 29, 2024
  29. ^ Geiger, Amy. "The Linda Lindas share 'Resolution/Revolution'". BrooklynVegan. Archived December 19, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  30. ^ "The Linda Lindas Share New Song 'Resolution/Revolution'". Pitchfork. July 31, 2023. Archived March 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  31. ^ Paul, Larisha (August 13, 2024). "The Linda Lindas Head to the Circus With 'Weird Al' Yankovic in 'Yo Me Estreso' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  32. ^ Mier, Tomás (September 10, 2024). "The Linda Lindas Release 'No Obligation' Title Track Ahead of New Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 10, 2024.
  33. ^ Moore, Em (October 7, 2024). "The Linda Lindas: 'Nothing Would Change'". Punknews. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  34. ^ Kaufman, Spencer (22 October 2024). "The Linda Lindas Announce Spring 2025 North American Tour". Consequence. Retrieved 25 October 2024.
  35. ^ "No Obligation" (music). no-obligation/the-linda-lindas. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  36. ^ "No Obligation by The Linda Lindas reviews". AnyDecentMusic? n.d. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  37. ^ Yeung, Neil Z. (October 11, 2024). "No Obligation - The Linda Lindas | Album". AllMusic
  38. ^ The Linda Lindas (2024). No Obligation (liner notes). Epitaph Records. 88007-1SLE.