Released 25 October
Sharptone Records
Better Lovers have been steadily rising in popularity in their short existence together. Comprised of members from Everytime I Die, Dillinger Escape Plan and Fit For An Autopsy, the band are here to unleash their debut record, Highly Irresponsible and you likely aren’t prepared for the chaos that’s about to ensue.
“Playing and hearing our own music makes us want to run through walls. So we made a video where, while playing and hearing our own music, we run through walls. This ain’t rocket surgery!”
– Jordan Buckley, guitarist
Highly Irresponsible is a record that combines the exemplary talents of vocalist Greg Puciato with the technicality of guitarist Jordan Buckley alongside fellow members Clayton “Goose” Holyoak, Stephen Micciche and guitarist/producer Will Putney. While they’re all deeprooted in heavier instrumentation and styles, this collection of tracks offers fast-paced intensity from the getgo. By the time you’re halfway through ‘Your Misplaced Self‘ you’ll honestly begin to wonder where the time went. Buckley’s riff energy is speedy yet technical and it is quite abundant throughout the album.
It’s not until ‘A White Horse Covered in Blood‘ though that listeners garner a palatable taste of what Better Lovers are capable of. From the first few bars, there’s a hint of a slick rock-and-roll style. A balancing act of genres ignite as Puciato manoeuvres his vocals towards more melodic styles whilst arousing us with a heavier, grungier blast. These low growls make for the idyllic segue into ‘Future Myopia‘. Leading in with pulsating metal riffs and gritty distortion, this one’s going to provide a whole new music experience as the band get offered bigger gigs into 2025.
Although Highly Irresponsible is the band’s debut full-length, it does well in stabilizing their sound to engage as many listeners as possible. ‘Deliver Us From Life‘ dives in with slower, brooding guitars which intuitively adds a layer of mystery to Better Lovers. Similarly to the band’s latest single released, ‘At All Times‘, this 90s-inspired track delivers overpowering chords that aims to tell a story of emotions.
In contrast, songs like ‘Drowning in a Burning World‘ delivers brutality in the best way by disseminating a mean guitar riff that feels like straight wildfire. Possibly inspired by a blend of melodic hardcore and 80s metal, this blazing tune is cataclysmic. But it’s follow-up track ‘Everything Was Put Here For Me‘ that offers an insight into the band’s identity. Blurring the lines between rock and roll and high-intensity metal, Puciato’s screeching vocals gives off a lively atmosphere which I feel, makes for a toptier standout.
On a whole, Highly Irresponsible continues to execute the excitement that Better Lovers have built up over the past twelve months. Attacking high-strung emotions, soaring vocals and chaotic riffs from top to bottom, this is a band that’ll continue to draw in festival crowds and with this record out in the open, who knows what else they’ll be capable of?
Rating: 8/10
Review by Tamara May
Pre-order/pre-save Highly Irresponsible here
Better Lovers – Highly Irresponsible tracklisting:
1. Lie Between the Lines
2. Your Misplaced Self
3. A White Horse Covered in Blood
4. Future Myopia
5. Deliver Us From Life
6. Drowning in a Burning World
7. Everything Was Put Here For Me
8. Superman Died Paralyzed
9. At All Times
10. Love As An Act of Rebellion
