In the 11 years since No Doubt released their 2001 effort Rock Steady, frontwoman Gwen Stefani launched a solo career, the band released a greatest hits compilation, and they reunited for a tour.
But as soon as bloggers posted Settle Down Monday – the first single off the group's newest project, Push and Shove, slated for release September 24 – fans were transported right back to the glory days of the rock band from Anaheim. (By the way, fellow '90s-era rockers Green Day will be releasing a new album that same week. Insert 1995 time travel joke here.)
"We are incredibly excited to share the new music with you. Ear candy coming your way!" the band said in a statement earlier this year; they're finally making good on the promise with the release of Settle Down, which they dubbed a "party-ready reggae blast" according to Rolling Stone.
Since forming the group in 1986, Stefani and bandmates Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont and Adrian Young have evolved No Doubt's sound from ska-tinged jump-arounds and ballads (Tragic Kingdom, Return of Saturn) to a smoother, more Jamaican dancehall feel (Rock Steady). And the group is returning to the scene with a bit of savviness: Diplo, the man who retooled the sound of fellow industry veteran Usher, produced the record.
Will No Doubt's album be hit or miss? Listen to the track here, and tell us what you think in the comments below:
