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Waterparks Unveil Sixth Studio Album JINX With High-Profile Collaborations
Waterparks dropped their sixth studio album, JINX, on July 24 2026, a joint release from BMG and Rise Records that marks the Houston‑based trio’s first project under BMG’s imprint. The 13‑track collection follows 2023’s Intellectual Property and continues the band’s habit of blending pop‑punk energy with experimental pop and hip‑hop flourishes.
Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Awsten Knight, lead guitarist Geoff Wigington, and drummer Otto Wood have carved a niche that defies easy categorization. Their debut, Double Dare (2016), arrived on Equal Vision, and subsequent releases saw the group shift through Hopeless (2019), 300 Entertainment (2021), Fueled by Ramen (2022), and finally BMG in 2025. JINX keeps that trajectory of genre‑mixing while adding a new layer of star‑powered collaborations.
The album opens with “Tell Me Why,” a track that pulls in an eclectic roster: Blink‑182’s Mark Hoppus, film composer Danny Elfman, rapper‑producer Dillon Francis, and singer‑songwriter Eric Nally. Their contributions create a layered vocal and instrumental tapestry that feels both cinematic and explosive, setting the tone for the rest of the record.
“Red Guitar” follows, a reflective piece that examines the costs of fame and the limits of talent. The third track, “If Lyrics Were Confidential,” keeps the band’s trademark wit, nodding to actor Timothée Chalamet in a tongue‑in‑cheek lyric.
Mid‑album tracks—“Prowler,” “Taste Like Tangerine,” and “Mirage”—reaffirm Waterparks’ pop‑rock core while pushing into new sonic textures. “Prowler” repeats the line “I’m a singer, not a savior,” underscoring the group’s stance that musicians aren’t obligated to solve listeners’ problems.
The record’s softer moments appear in “Better Than Therapy” and “Nobody But You,” which explore romantic themes with a candid, sometimes uneasy tone. “Playing Music” adds a lyric that highlights the personal sacrifices made for love.
The closing quartet—“Any Minute Now,” “Girls Need Guns,” and two additional tracks—wraps up the album. “Any Minute Now” delivers a nostalgic, theatrical finish, while “Girls Need Guns” features Ginny Knight, Awsten’s mother, and presents a conversation about women’s reproductive rights that touches on historical and contemporary perspectives.
JINX is available for streaming on all major platforms and in physical formats, including vinyl and CD. Pre‑orders began in April 2026, accompanied by the full tracklist and album artwork. The release follows Waterparks’ pattern of offering special editions, such as signed vinyl variants.
With JINX, the band expands its discography to six studio albums and multiple EPs. Critics note that the record maintains Waterparks’ signature blend of sharp lyricism, colorful aesthetics, and genre‑spanning production while incorporating high‑profile collaborations that broaden its appeal. As of its release, JINX stands as a testament to the band’s continued visibility in the pop‑punk and alternative rock scenes.
Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Awsten Knight, lead guitarist Geoff Wigington, and drummer Otto Wood have carved a niche that defies easy categorization. Their debut, Double Dare (2016), arrived on Equal Vision, and subsequent releases saw the group shift through Hopeless (2019), 300 Entertainment (2021), Fueled by Ramen (2022), and finally BMG in 2025. JINX keeps that trajectory of genre‑mixing while adding a new layer of star‑powered collaborations.
The album opens with “Tell Me Why,” a track that pulls in an eclectic roster: Blink‑182’s Mark Hoppus, film composer Danny Elfman, rapper‑producer Dillon Francis, and singer‑songwriter Eric Nally. Their contributions create a layered vocal and instrumental tapestry that feels both cinematic and explosive, setting the tone for the rest of the record.
“Red Guitar” follows, a reflective piece that examines the costs of fame and the limits of talent. The third track, “If Lyrics Were Confidential,” keeps the band’s trademark wit, nodding to actor Timothée Chalamet in a tongue‑in‑cheek lyric.
Mid‑album tracks—“Prowler,” “Taste Like Tangerine,” and “Mirage”—reaffirm Waterparks’ pop‑rock core while pushing into new sonic textures. “Prowler” repeats the line “I’m a singer, not a savior,” underscoring the group’s stance that musicians aren’t obligated to solve listeners’ problems.
The record’s softer moments appear in “Better Than Therapy” and “Nobody But You,” which explore romantic themes with a candid, sometimes uneasy tone. “Playing Music” adds a lyric that highlights the personal sacrifices made for love.
The closing quartet—“Any Minute Now,” “Girls Need Guns,” and two additional tracks—wraps up the album. “Any Minute Now” delivers a nostalgic, theatrical finish, while “Girls Need Guns” features Ginny Knight, Awsten’s mother, and presents a conversation about women’s reproductive rights that touches on historical and contemporary perspectives.
JINX is available for streaming on all major platforms and in physical formats, including vinyl and CD. Pre‑orders began in April 2026, accompanied by the full tracklist and album artwork. The release follows Waterparks’ pattern of offering special editions, such as signed vinyl variants.
With JINX, the band expands its discography to six studio albums and multiple EPs. Critics note that the record maintains Waterparks’ signature blend of sharp lyricism, colorful aesthetics, and genre‑spanning production while incorporating high‑profile collaborations that broaden its appeal. As of its release, JINX stands as a testament to the band’s continued visibility in the pop‑punk and alternative rock scenes.