mixed the recordings at Chapel Studios in Los Angeles, California with assistance from Dan Adams and Joe Primeau, before the album was mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering. They re-recorded "Hit or Miss" again, as they felt the increase in recording budget would help the song. Avron felt that less focus on the drums was better; he would be apprehensive when Bolooki came up with a fill. As a result, most of the drum parts were "kind of more laid back" than what Bolooki had intended. Composition Musically, New Found Glory has been described as pop punk, comprising upbeat rhythms, buzzing guitar work, and nasally vocals, drawing comparisons to Blink-182 and the Get Up Kids. Gilbert said the group attempted to merge the rhythm of New York hardcore with elements of west coast punk. Bolooki said the title was purposely left ambiguous as it "could mean anything". Guitarist and lyricist Steve Klein originally claimed that the album was about one sole girl he dated for a year-and-a-half. The lyrics tackle the topics of growing up, having relationships and moving forward in life. Discussing the writing process, Bolooki said Gilbert would typically come up with a few riffs and make the outline of a song with them. He then shares it with the rest of the band, who worked on its structure, before Klein works on vocal melodies with Pundik. It gets shared with the band again for them to add the final touches. The opening track "Better Off Dead" starts with fast-paced drums and up-tempo guitar riffs, which Gilbert said was indebted to his punk and hardcore roots. It is followed by "Dressed to Kill", which talks about touring. "Hit or Miss" sees the narrator tell a story of waiting by a phone that will never ring, and references "Thriller" by Michael Jackson. Klein wrote it after remembering things that he didn't like about his ex and debating whether it was right to break up with her. Discussing "Sucker", Klein said it was him telling the girl that inspired Nothing Gold Can Stay that none of the tracks on New Found Glory were about her. "Boy Crazy" talks about the typical way girls fall in love with various guys. The closing track "Ballad for the Lost Romantics" is a tongue-in-cheek number about the songs that couples listen to early in their relationships. Release The band played two shows of