"Dilemma" is a "punk
bossa nova"
doo-wop, and '50s rock. The song begins with a slow, "nostalgic-sounding" introduction containing only an
electric guitar for instrumentation. Afterwards, the introduction finishes with an
open cadence, before a drum hits and the song transitions into a heavier sound more reminiscent of "classic Green Day". Dana Poland of
Slant commented on the song's "bright,
Beach Boys-esque guitar tones", which complemented its "bursts of
pop-punk energy". Marko Djurdjić of
Exclaim! stylistically compared "Dilemma" to songs by
the Menzingers, while Kory Grow of
Rolling Stone noted that the song was likely inspired by
Ramones. Armstrong explained that the lyric "I was sober, now I'm drunk again" from the chorus could be seen as both a celebratory statement for having gotten drunk, or as a representation of "someone that's fallen". Armstrong also acknowledged how the first line of the song, "Welcome to my problems, it's not an invitation", was designed to be self-pitying akin to a
Facebook post, but commented that people should interpret the lyric how they want. == Reception ==