September 26, 2000 wasn’t just another Tuesday—it was the day New Found Glory released their self-titled album and, in doing so, helped build pop punk into the genre we know today. Fast forward 25 years, and those tracks still feel just as urgent, catchy, and alive as they did when they first hit stereos and bedroom speakers.
This was the album that gave us “Hit or Miss,” a song that didn’t just put New Found Glory on the map—it became one of the building blocks of the entire scene. Alongside tracks like “Better Off Dead” and “Ballad for the Lost Romantics,” the record wasn’t just a soundtrack for young fans in the early 2000s—it became a rallying cry for a generation of kids who felt like they’d finally found their place.
Adding to the magic of that release day, September 26, 2000 also saw Good Charlotte drop their debut album. Two bands, two landmark records, one date. Looking back, it feels like the stars aligned to launch a new era of alternative music.
The self-titled record wasn’t glossy or overproduced—it was raw, fun, and completely unpretentious. That’s exactly why it’s stood the test of time. A quarter of a century later, it’s not just a classic, it’s a cornerstone that continues to inspire new bands and keep the spirit of pop punk alive.
So, which track takes you straight back to 2000?
