Marshmello‘s new album, The Rootsmarks more than an ordinary return. It’s a journey that dares to evoke both the innocence and intensity of his late-2010s ascent while embracing the maturity he’s earned along the way.

Mello orchestrates a dance between past and present in The Roots,, spinning a web of euphoric highs and hypnotic lows while threading memories of his meteoric trajectory with modern-day complexity. The album’s opener “Just Can’t Stop” sets the stage with an arresting blend of bright, shivering synths and heavy-hitting drums, radiating with intensity that feels like sunlight trapped in sound.

I have taps Viperactive for another standout, “In The Cut,” a riotous, percussion-driven assault on the senses. The track wastes no time, galloping forward with wild trap drops that rise and crash with chaotic grace as Viperactive brings a ferocity that melds beautifully with Marshmello’s polished sound. Elsewhere, “Fired Up,” sees Marshmello working alongside Hamdi. He finds a willing co-pilot in the EDM.com Class of 2024 breakout, blending the thrill of UK dubstep with its own brand of nostalgic trap.

And then there’s “Bad Boys,” an explosive collaboration with Trickstar and the ageless Lil Jon, a track that is a firestorm of barked vocals and weaponized bass. Marshmello’s digitized synths ricochet with a wicked grin, dancing dangerously around Lil Jon’s call-to-arms. It’s a reminder that even in his embrace of nostalgia, Mello isn’t afraid to burn down expectations and build something wild from the ashes.

Amid the release, he hasn’t forgotten the emotional gravity that music can hold. A glimpse of an unreleased collaboration with Juice WRLD on Kai Cenat’s recent livestream felt like a voice echoing through time—a poignant reminder of what was lost and a bittersweet reassurance that their creative legacy remains enduring.

Listen to The Roots below and find the new album on streaming platforms here.