AM Gold

Released in 2022, AM Gold marks Train's first studio album in five years and represents a stylistic pivot toward retro-pop and disco-inflected grooves. While the band's foundation remains rooted in the melodic pop-rock that defined their early 2000s success, this record leans heavily into 1970s AM radio aesthetics, specifically AOR and soft rock. The recording context reflects a post-hiatus desire to return with high-energy, optimistic material. Critics, including those at AllMusic, noted the album's shift toward a more rhythmic sound, praising its craftsmanship and Monahan's enduring vocal range while acknowledging its deliberate departure from the rootsy acoustic sound of their debut era. It functions as a celebratory mid-career statement, prioritizing broad-market appeal and nostalgic textures over experimentalism. The inclusion of tracks like 'Cleopatra' and 'Turn the Radio Up' highlights the band's ability to integrate modern production with vintage songwriting tropes.