The Transits have never been about half-measures, and their second full-length album, ‘Bleed Hope’, isn’t so much an evolution as it is a detonation. RReleased in December 2025, this 15-track manifesto by the New Zealand–South African trio—vocalists and multi-instrumentalists Ryan Lunn and Dom Antelme, along with drummer Tyrone Smith—presents a high-octane blend of pop-punk energy and shimmering cinematic ambition. What began as a spark ignited across an ocean, with the band members separated between Durban and Auckland, has become a restless, vital flame. This album is the sound of that distance being turned into pure, unrelenting fuel.
The record is heavy with dramatic contrasts, a characteristic that has always been key to their sound. LThe luminous, hook-heavy melodies frequently mask lyrics that grapple with themes of shadows and disconnection, creating a tension that is expertly showcased in the centrepiece and title track. ‘Bleed Hope’ shifts beautifully from whispered vulnerability to an explosive, stadium-ready release, embodying the fragility and resilience at the core of the band’s ethos. The momentum rarely drops across the 44-minute runtime.
Tracks like ‘Outsiders’ immediately set the pace, bristling with an infectious pop-punk swagger. Meanwhile, ‘Live Today’ manages the difficult trick of turning existential dread into a festival chant, proving The Transits know how to craft anthems that both ache and inspire.
Long-time fans will be pleased to see the inclusion of their phenomenal single, ‘Dancing with Shadows’, which remains a glittering gut-punch. The song is an anthem of hidden pain wrapped in synth-pop brilliance, and its visual life, a haunting, award-winning AI-driven video, has cemented the band’s reputation as trailblazers willing to redefine their visual language. This willingness to push boundaries extends to new highlights like ‘Empty Room’, a moment of beautifully dark pop that dials back the pace just slightly, and the thunderous, heavy chorus of ‘Youth Puppets’.
The addition of Lacey Lunn’s clear, bright vocals on ‘Never Back Down’ offers a welcome shift in texture, adding an emotional layer without sacrificing the band’s signature drive. While the intensity is unrelenting and sometimes overwhelming, forcing the listener to hang on across the entire runtime, the commitment to their craft is absolute. Having already earned glowing reviews, a Rolling Stone Magazine feature, and awards across continents for their debut, ‘Bleed Hope’ is the sound of The Transits going full-throttle, proving they are a powerhouse on a global stage. The rush is undeniable, and this band is impossible to forget.
You can stream ‘Bleed Hope’ above, and for more, be sure to connect with The Transits on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Bandcamp.
