New No Doubt album is worth the wait

No Doubt have always made quality albums. Their older records like Tragic Kingdom and Rock Steady still hold up after all of these years. Kingdom was their greatest album and after the release of Steady almost 11 years ago, it was a dark time for No Doubt fans front woman Gwen Stefani released a great solo album and a decent one, both of which had an 80s dance-pop sound. That sound is mixed in with the sounds of all of their previous albums on their sixth album Push and Shove.
The album doesn't have any bad songs. While some songs like the singles "Settle Down" and "Looking Hot" hold interest better than some of the more midtempo songs like "Easy,"each song is amazing.
The band have matured on this album and that's only fitting since they're all over 40 years old and have children. The punky attitude of earlier hits like "Excuse Me Mr." and "Ex-Girlfriend" are not found. That is not to say that the band have lost their edge. The best song on the album is the title track which was a promotional single and features Busy Signal and Major Lazer. The track goes from the reggae inspired jams of Rock Steady to a sassy Tragic Kingdomesque chorus that rocks harder than anything on this album.
Other highlights include the gorgeous ballad "Undone." Gwen and the boys have never sounded so somber and beautiful on a ballad than they do there. Another emotional number that is "One More Summer." "One more Summer, one more weekend. I'm your lover, you're my weakness," Stefani sings sadly during the chorus.
The album ends on yet another high note with the 80s inspired new-wave ballad "Dreaming the Same Dream." The song could be in any 80s movie and fit right in.
While this album may not be their best work it is a brilliant step in the right direction. Let's just hope it doesn't take them 11 years to make their next record.