21st Century Breakdown

"...'21st Century Breakdown' is Green Day's best album."
- Rolling Stone

"Five years on, '21st Century Breakdown' picks up where its predecessor left off."
- The Observer

"We love it!"
- Spin

'21st Century Breakdown' is the eighth studio album by the American punk rock band Green Day and their first to be produced by Butch Vig.

This album follows 2004's critically acclaimed 'American Idiot'. Regarding the pressure, Billie Joe Armstrong said, "We could take a sideways step or go back to our roots. We chose to move forward. It's about reflecting what's been happening the past three years and putting it to melody with some bold statements." The band has also stated that "This album is more... religious," and it is influenced by Bruce Springsteen, The Who, The Beatles, The Clash, and Queen.

The release of '21st Century Breakdown' marks the longest gap between Green Day studio albums - almost 5 years - as the group had been working it since 2006.

'21st Century Breakdown' is divided into three acts: "Heroes and Cons", "Charlatans and Saints", & "Horseshoes and Handgrenades" and follows a young couple, Christian and Gloria, through the mess and promise of the century so far.