It’s been seven long years since the music world last heard from Long Island alt-rock quartet Brand New. And for Brand New fans those seven years have felt like seventy.

The emo heavyweights turned critical darlings disbanded after frontman Jesse Lacey was cancelled for admitting to inappropriate behavior with an underage girl. The timing of the news was more than unfortunate. The quartet had just released their fifth album, Science Fiction, arguably their strongest and most cohesive to date, and had launched on a North American and European tour to support it.

That tour was also their most expensive and most detailed, awash in lights and effects. For a band who often performed live without any said effects it was both a welcome and bold next step. Shortly before disbanding, frontman Jesse Lacey issued a lengthy and sincere apology and atoned for said sins but by then it was too late. The band retreated and abruptly ended the tour shortly before they were set to embark to England. Their last public show was at the Bomb Factory in Dallas, TX on Oct. 29, 2017.

And then last month happened. The band reunited in Lacey’s adopted hometown of Nashville for a private friends and family gig in support of Lacey’s wife’s nonprofit Mom’s Skate Club. Bear in mind the band performed this same show last year, but this one was different. Brand New opened the set with an untiled new song, the unreleased “Coca Cola” and a cover of Pedro the Lion’s “Band With Managers.” The set then dove into some of Science Fiction’s deeper cuts before closing with “Jesus Christ.” No photos or videos were allowed of the event, which given Brand New’s penchant for privacy is no surprise.

The performance however has had the Brand New faithful stirring and antsy. Is a new album in the works? Will new songs drop? Will the band reunite? Will they tour? The theories abound and each sector of Brand New fandom has their own take. Even if nothing comes of it, the gig last month is a reminder that seven years removed from their last album the band’s fandom remains strong and is more than eager for another Brand New chapter to be written. But will that happen?

What is the statute of limitations on someone being cancelled? Isn’t this America after all? A nation that welcomes second chances, contrition and people reinventing themselves. There’s more than a handful of examples in all sectors of American society to draw upon in the last four decades and beyond. So maybe that same spirit that welcomes reinvention should welcome Brand New back. Lord knows they’ve served their collective penance. Let’s welcome them back with open arms and embrace a new era of Brand New.