Youth Authority is the sixth studio album by American rock band Good Charlotte.

In early 2016, the band supported All Time Low on the UK arena tour, leading into the single release of "40 oz.

It was promoted with performances on Warped Tour for the remainder of the month, and a handful of UK shows surrounding the band's appearance at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.

A second headlining US tour followed in May 2017; alongside two festival appearances, a music video was released for "Keep Swingin'" in June.

A few months later, a music video was released for "War"; the band closed the year with a headlining UK tour in November and December.

Youth Authority received a generally favorable reception, with the album's pop punk sound dividing critics.

[5] Vocalist Joel Madden said they took their website offline, sold off all of their merchandise because they wanted to "go out with a clean slate.

[10] Additionally, they formed MDDN, an entity that served as a record label, management and music publishing company.

[17] Kellin Quinn of Sleeping with Sirens appears on "Keep Swingin'", while Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro features on "Reason to Stay".

[22] Discussing the album title, Madden said Youth Authority was the concept that "there’s a kid out there right now who has a guitar, or a microphone, or a laptop, with a dream that is going to beat the odds.

"[23] He mentioned "Life Changes" as encapsulating "the GC spirit",[24] while having an arena rock chorus in the vein of Bon Jovi.

[28] "Keep Swingin'" was written while the Madden brothers were working with Quinn, starting off as a riff and quickly evolved into a complete song within a day.

Joel Madden listened back to it the following week and was highly impressed by it, subsequently asking Quinn if they could include it on Youth Authority.

[22] Benji Madden was hesitant to include "The Outfield" on the album as it featured lyrics about his and brother's upbringing.

[29] "Moving On" channels the electro-dance vibe of Good Morning Revival (2007)[25] On November 3, 2015, the band announced an end to their hiatus.

[38] In August, the band played a few UK shows with support from Waterparks, Big Jesus and Roam, around their appearance at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.

[63] In October and November, the band went on a headlining US tour with support from The Story So Far, Set Your Goals, Four Year Strong, Hit the Lights and Big Jesus.

[71] AllMusic reviewer Stephen Thomas Erlewine called it a "record that gleams but also roars, an album that still feels the pull of adolescent rebellion even as middle age sentimentality begins to descend.

"[9] Alternative Press writer Evan Lucy complimented Feldmann's production, noting that he "helped the Maddens channel the emotional heft that’s always been at the core of their music.

[22] The release, however, provides an "admirable job updating Good Charlotte’s sound in ways that should please both long-term and new fans.

"[73] Spin's said the album's weaknesses lied with the slower material: "Nailing ballads was never a strength for GC, and why would it be?

reviewer Andy Roberts called it a "fresh collection of ultimately underwhelming, pop-punk, filler tracks.

"[27] With it being soaked in nostalgia, the album is "jam-packed full of Good Charlotte‘s playing-it-safe pop-punk and, as a consequence, is a pretty bland effort.

[19] The band proved they could remain on top "when it comes to crafting the kind of catchy hooks teens in the scene live for.

"[19] Rock Sound's Ryan Bird praised it as a "sun-drenched delight that sees the quintet firmly reconnecting with their roots.

"[74] Rolling Stone Australia writer Rod Yates said the band stuck to their strengths, namely "polished pop-punk bangers, … quirky radio fodder, … and lyrics that veer from the defiant … to the confessional.