On November 16th, 2018, Mascot Label Group will release ‘Circles,’ P.O.D.’s debut for the label. The album is the San Diego band’s first since 2015’s The Awakening, and comes at a time when the group is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. In the last few years, P.O.D. have performed at the Download Festival, Hellfest, Rock on the Range, River City Rockfest, Carolina Rebellion, and Aftershock Festival, as well as shared stages with In This Moment, Prophets of Rage, Shinedown, and Five Finger Death Punch.
On Circles, P.O.D. collaborated with an L.A.-based production duo called the Heavy, who ensured the album is contemporary-sounding without losing any of the band’s core sonic signifiers. The rap-driven “Rockin’ With The Best” has an old-school P.O.D. sound that nods to the Beastie Boys, while “Always Southern California” is a reggae-inflected rocker and the groove-heavy “Soundboy Killa” is a hip-hop/metal hybrid. The dynamic title track even boasts moody electronic flourishes, glassy piano, and laid-back rapping verses.