Mania (stylized as M A N I A) is the seventh studio album by American rock band Fall Out Boy. It was released on January 19, 2018, after a rollout that was postponed from the band’s earlier plans. The album continued Fall Out Boy’s shift away from their early pop-punk roots and toward a more polished, genre-mixing sound.
The record blends elements of pop rock, electronic music, and alternative rock. Compared with some of the band’s earlier albums, Mania is more synthetic and experimental in tone, with bright production, layered keyboards, and large, hook-driven choruses. That approach made the album stand out within the band’s catalog, while also dividing listeners who preferred their older style.
Release and background
The album’s release was delayed in 2017 as the band decided to keep working on the material rather than issue it on the original schedule. This long development period became part of the album’s identity and helped shape public expectations. When it finally arrived, Mania was promoted as a major new phase for the band rather than a simple continuation of previous releases.
Singles and reception
Several singles preceded and supported the album, including “Young and Menace,” “Champion,” “The Last of the Real Ones,” and “Hold Me Tight or Don’t.” These songs highlighted different sides of the album, from aggressive electronic textures to more melodic pop-rock writing. Critics were divided: some praised the ambition and production, while others felt the album’s stylized direction was uneven.
Commercially, Mania was successful and debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200. The album reinforced Fall Out Boy’s status as a major modern rock act capable of crossing into pop audiences, even as their evolving sound continued to generate debate among fans. In that sense, Mania is often discussed as both a confident reinvention and one of the band’s most polarizing albums.
- Artist: Fall Out Boy
- Type: Studio album
- Release date: January 19, 2018
- Style: Pop rock, electronic rock, alternative rock