New Found Glory, “Make the Most of It.”

Pop-punkers New Found Glory found that the genre doesn’t need to be confined to its boundaries.

The band’s 2021 December’s Here was a foray into writing a Christmas soundtrack, and latest release Make the Most Of It is an entirely acoustic album. Fourteen tracks strong, the album is almost like the combination of two EPs, crossing seven new tracks with seven more recorded live in concert.

This record holds particular weight for the band: It was written in the wake of Chad Gilbert’s cancer diagnosis. The band’s longtime guitarist was found unresponsive in bed at home, rushed to a hospital and diagnosed with an eight-inch pheochromocytoma tumor. Gilbert’s road to recovery was a long one. After being declared cancer-free, doctors found another small tumor on his spine. Make the Most of It is a musical chronicle of his journey.

The songs are an intimate and simple portrait, using layered acoustic guitar playing with occasional piano and no percussion. The stripped-down styling allows the lyrics, melodies and the message to move to the forefront.

“I won’t give in and I won’t give up/ A true connection/ A deeper love,” Jordan Pundik sings on opener “Dream Born Again,” a hopeful ode to rebirth after feeling that all is lost.

“Mouth to Mouth” has a pop-punk styling despite its acoustic foundation. The track has a bit of a double-meaning, serving as both a love song with references to Gilbert’s literal resuscitation and figuratively being brought back to life.

“Never thought that life could be so grim/ When the choice was sink or swim,” Pudnik sings.

Despite the heavy message, the album is hopeful and forward-looking, dwelling less on past challenges and more on opportunities renewed. “Get Me Home” is an anthem to all of Gilbert’s hopes, dreams and longings—the things he wanted to do once he recovered like friends, family, travel and the simplest joys of life.

“I’ll take all the thoughts and prayers or whatever the hell you say,” Pudnik explains on his bandmate’s behalf.

“Watch the Lilies Grow” is a sweet ode to Gilbert’s daughter, Lily. The song is lush and calm with acoustic guitar plays fused with orchestral overlays. The lyrics detail Gilbert’s pride in his daughter and watching her grow, which is much more significant to him than professional or musical accomplishments. “More Than Enough” is a thank you to his wife for her support through their relationship and his health journey.

“If you had told me this is where my life was going to end up/ I’d have said you were crazy,” Pudnik earnestly sings.

The record is performed from a unique perspective, with Pudnik singing Gilbert’s life experience. He does more than an admirable job as the messenger, taking Gilbert’s words and bringing them to life, certainly a difficult task. “Kiss the Floor” is a piano- and acoustic guitar-driven ode to gratitude and appreciation, a celebration of life restored and renewed. It clocks in at more than five minutes and features some of Pudnik’s best vocal work on the record. That sentiment continues on “Bloom,” an uplifting track that includes a little electric guitar, bringing things full circle.

The second half of the album features performances from a gig in Franklin, Tenn. This collection was  tightly performed, well-produced and offer a colorful portrait of the intimate show. It includes longtime standbys like “All Downhill From Here” and “The Story So Far” from Sticks and Stones.

For a genre (pop-punk) that can sometimes dwell on negatives, Make the Most of It lives up to its name, focusing on life’s positives. The heavy and personal subject matter may not be for everyone, but the songs are written and performed in a way that the overarching message should resonate for many. A portion of the album’s proceeds will go to the Pheo Para Alliance, the longest-standing advocacy group in awareness of pheochromocytoma.

Follow writer Mike DeWald at Twitter.com/mike_dewald.