California

California is the seventh studio album by American rock band Blink-182, released on July 1, 2016, through BMG as the band's only album on the label. It is the first of two albums by the band to feature both producer John Feldmann and Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba, with the latter replacing founding member Tom DeLonge during his absence from 2015 to 2022. After touring and releasing Neighborhoods (2011) and Dogs Eating Dogs (2012), it became difficult for the trio to record new material due to DeLonge's various commitments. After disagreements that led to DeLonge's departure, the remaining members of the group—vocalist/bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker–recruited Skiba in his place.

California was recorded at Foxy Studios between January and March 2016 with Feldmann. He was the group's first new lone producer since longtime collaborator Jerry Finn. Prior to his involvement, the trio began writing together in September 2015 and completed dozens of songs. They decided to shelve them upon working with Feldmann to start fresh, and they proceeded to record another 28 songs; in all, the group recorded upwards of 50. The band, as well as Feldmann, would regularly spend 18 hours in the studio a day, aiming to start and complete multiple songs in that timeframe. The album's title comes from the band's home state of California, and its artwork was illustrated by the street artist D*Face.

The album debuted at number one in the US and several other countries, and was the group's first domestic chart-topper in 15 years, and first ever in the UK. It received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album; the band's first. Its first two singles, "Bored to Death" and "She's Out of Her Mind", charted well on Billboard's Alternative Songs chart. California received mixed reviews from music critics, with some praising the band's return to their classic sound and others criticizing the length of the album as well as Feldmann's input and production. The band supported the album with a large headlining tour in North America and Europe. A deluxe edition of the album, containing eleven new songs, was released in May 2017.