Intellectual Property (album)

On January 27, 2022, the band began teasing material from their fifth studio album.^[1] On April 7, 2022, the first single, "Funeral Grey" was announced,^[1] and was then subsequently released on May 13 as their first release under Fueled by Ramen.^[2] On July 5, 2022, the band announced the second single, "Self-Sabotage" to be released on July 7.^[3] The band also released a teaser of a new song titled "Brainwashed" that the band has been performing on tour.^[3] On August 8, 2022, the band released a music video for "Self-Sabotage".^[4] On August 30, 2022, the band debuted a new song live titled "Real Super Dark" from the upcoming album.^[5] On October 14, 2022, the band released the single "Fuck About It", featuring Blackbear.^[6] On November 23, 2022, the band announced the title of their fifth studio album, Intellectual Property.^[7][8] On December 1, 2022, the band released a music video for "Fuck About It".^[9][10] On January 26, 2023, the band released the album's fourth single, "Real Super Dark".^[11] The band also confirmed the release date for the album to be April 14, 2023.^[11] On March 10, 2023, the band released the album's fifth single, "Brainwashed".^[12]

On October 11, 2023, the band released "Sneaking Out of Heaven" and added the song to all streaming versions of the album's standard edition.^[13]

Intellectual Property has been described as pop rock,^[14] hyperpop,^[14] electronica,^[15] alternative rock,^[15] and pop punk,^[15] with "hip hop production."^[15]

More information Review scores, Source ...

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Kerrang!	4/5[16]
New Noise	[15]
Square One Magazine	[17]
Upset Magazine	[18]

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Intellectual Property received positive reviews. Emily Carter of Kerrang! called the album "another compelling addition to a discography that always succeeds in bringing something fresh to the table."^[16] Ashley Oken of New Noise Magazine feels that the album "perfectly melts their eras together...[and] sees Waterparks take a bold step into new territory."^[15] Stephen Ackroyd of Upset Magazine called the album "A constantly shifting, hyperactive genre flip, [that] bounces off the walls of the tired and overdone – the best sonic representation of Awsten Knight's chaotic mischief yet."^[18] Emily Young of Square One Magazine shared that the album is "quintessential Waterparks - a detailed journey from start to finish."^[17]

In December 2023, Rock Sound listed Intellectual Property at number seven in its Top 50 Albums of 2023, describing it as a "stripped-back" songwriting effort compared to "the diverse and dynamic ideas of 'Greatest Hits'" and having Awsten Knight's "poppiest melodies to date".^[19] Kerrang! listed Intellectual Property in its own 50 best albums of 2023 list at number 47, with Jake Richardson describing it as "another strong record from one of pop-punk's most creative forces."^[20]

Notes

• All tracks are stylized in all caps.

Waterparks

• Awsten Knight – lead vocals, guitar, bass, production, additional programming
• Geoff Wigington – guitar
• Otto Wood – drums

Additional musicians

• Lucy Landry – additional vocals (tracks 3, 4)
• Kurtis Conner – additional vocals (6)
• Vincente Void – additional vocals (8)
• Blackbear – additional vocals (9)

Production

• Zakk Cervini – production, engineering, mastering, mixing
• Julian Bunetta – co-production (4, 5, 9)
• Nik Trekov – mixing assistance, engineering assistance
• Jared Poythress – additional programming, additional production
• Chris Gehringer – mastering