The Penguin Rocks logo
The Penguin Rocks Menu



 

AWOLNATION releases "The Phantom Five"

originally published: 09/01/2024

(LOS ANGELES, CA) -- AWOLNATION has released his full length album, The Phantom Five. Composed of ten tracks, Aaron Bruno aka AWOLNATION says he "wrote this album with the intention that it could possibly be the final AWOLNATION album". It includes the previously released singles and music videos for "Panoramic View", "Jump Sit Stand March" feat. Emily Armstrong and "I Am Happy" feat. Del The Funky Homosapien.

“I’ve always wanted to make something like Chris Isaak’s 'Wicked Game',” says Aaron Bruno on the video. “This video is nothing like that, because nothing could be like that beautiful video – but we had fun finding and shooting it at the same location with a sarcastic twist on the concept.”

On the song, he explains "I read The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka before I wrote this record, and I love the concept of me transforming from this AWOLNATION project into new projects like my new Barbarians of California hardcore metal thrash project. That’s the conflict of the song, and it was inspired by a guy changing into a bug."

The Phantom Five is a collection of ten songs that highlights every different impulse and urge Bruno has learned to master with AWOLNATION in a cohesive, anthemic pastiche of modern music. It functions almost as a “greatest hits” album, in the sense that it offers something for everyone who has followed the band’s arc in its celebrated, shape-shifting way. The Phantom Five is concerned with trying to find one’s way to happiness in a bizarrely upside-down time.

“I wrote this album with the intention that it could possibly be the final AWOLNATION album,” continues Bruno. “I wanted the challenge and inspiration of that idea. I’m not sure if it will actually be the last album, but I wanted to create that narrative to push myself with it and put everything I have into these songs.”




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



“Panoramic View”, the lead single from The Phantom Five has amassed over 1 million views on YouTube and over 11 million streams. The single recently hit #8 at alternative radio and was added to rotation on KROQ – the legendary Los Angeles Rock Radio station. An acoustic version of the song was recently released and be heard here.

"Bang Your Head" is featured in the new trailer for season three of The Legend of Vox Machina, the hit adult animated fantasy-adventure series on Prime Video.

AWOLNATION has been on the road with 311 and NEON TREES on the “Unity Tour”. Dates across the nation kicked off July 20 with the final date taking place tomorrow, in Redmond, WA. An AWOLNATON headline tour announcement will be coming soon.

The Phantom Five is available to stream in full at this link.

Track Listing

1. Jump Sit Stand March (Feat. Emily Armstrong)

2. Party People




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info



3. Panoramic View

4. I Am Happy (Feat. Del the Funky Homosapien)

5. Barbarian

6. Bang Your Head

7. City of Nowhere

8. A Letter To No One

9. When I Was Young

10. Outta Here




Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




 

COLUMNS


Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 01/08/2026

"I'm good," began Jersey Shore area artist Danny Giovanna, "I was born and raised in Monmouth County, a wonderful place to grow up and so close to the shore, which is where so much of my story when I was younger started. I found myself going to Asbury Park, it was a way for me to get away from everything going on at home."




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts from January 6-12, 2026




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "A New Year's Lullaby" by The New Bardots




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites... 01/02/2026






 

MORE NEWS

Today we are highlighting the five time Grammy Award Nominated band, Roomful of Blues. First formed in 1967, the group touts an impressive tenure approaching almost sixty years in the industry. While some new faces have come and gone in that tenure, the eight-piece blues band is still going strong- most recently welcoming their first female singer, D.D. Bastos, to the octet.


Kean Stage presents Billy Ocean on April 2nd




The Jersey Four featuring Gerry Polci to Perform at Drew University




Centenary Stage Company presents the Six One Five Collective




Makin Waves with Greg Amici: Comeback of the Year






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


MPAC presents Yellow Brick Joel: The Tribute Concert

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) presents Yellow Brick Joel: The Tribute Concert on Thursday, January 8 and Friday, January 9, 2026 at 8:00pm each night. This incredible live show features David Clark, a masterful performer who brings Billy Joel's music to life, alongside Bill Connors, who channels the genius of Elton John in a way you've never seen before.


Lizzie Rose Music Room presents James Maddock




NJPAC presents Get the Led Out




The Landis Theater presents Obey Your Master - Metallica Tribute Band on January 10th






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




The Penguin Rocks

© 2026 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
[email protected]

Presented by New Jersey Stage

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our NJ Stage accounts on Instagram, and Threads


News | Features | Radio Shows | Penguin's Hall of Fame | Song of the Week | BlowUpRadio column

Contact Us | About Us | Submit Music | Ad Rates