The inspiration for ‘Red Guitar’ was Eminem’s ‘Lose Yourself’. “I really studied that track. It’s motivational and talks about overcoming struggle, but is never cheesy. It’s so fucking hard to find that balance,” Awsten continues. “That song is all about delusion, really.”

The hook for the song was written back in 2021 during a drive listening to the soundtrack for the cult 1993 sci-fi comedy Coneheads. “There were a million other crazy ideas, but my friend Joe [Ragosta] encouraged me to stick with the ‘I just brought a new red guitar’ line. Sometimes when you’re in a band, you’re a coward and you fear campiness even though the vast majority of the best songs of all time are a bit camp. You can’t go too far, though.”

The band may have been away from the stage for more than a year, but they’ve been busy behind the scenes. “Writing this album has taken us longer than any of the others,” he explains. ‘Red Guitar’ became one of the most difficult tracks Waterparks have ever written “because it’s fucking difficult to express the truth without seeming ungrateful.” Another track, ‘If Lyrics Were Confidential’, was teased onstage at Reading, but a version of it existed two years ago. “It’s the first time there’s been full rewriting and reapproaching of songs. It’s taken us way longer to make, but I think it’s better.”

There are other tracks inspired by Gwen Stefani and No Doubt. “I’m in England, so if I say Oasis, I’ll get slaughtered,” he smirks. Despite rumours, there isn’t a Hayley Williams collab, though.

Next year, Waterparks’ debut album ‘Double Dare’ turns ten. “We might do something, but there’s not going to be a tour or anything like that,” says Awsten, with the band more excited about the future. “I like looking forward.”