Album review by Lucas Bell
For a band that has not even been together for two years, the fact Better Lovers is a band with such insane cohesion and quality is kind of insane. But when you dig deeper on the lore of the band, you can see the pedigree of why this band has the potential to be one of the most exciting acts of the 2020’s. Jordan Buckley, Clayton Holyoak (affectionately known as Goose), and Stephen Micciche’s next move post Every Time I Die was something that had been anticipated from the moment the bands break up was announced. Something no one expected however, was recruiting one of the best modern vocalists in Greg Puciato (ex-Dillinger Escape Plan, The Black Queen, Killer Be Killed) and Fit For An Autopsy guitarist, and one of the best modern metal producers, Will Putney, into the fold.
After announcing the bands existence in April 2023, the band have gone strength to strength, including dropping an EP last year, titled God Made Me an Animal. But what has been more anticipated, has been the follow up, which we now know is titled Highly Irresponsible, and will release October 25th via SharpTone Records. Vocalist Greg Puciato talked about the record, saying “New album. First full length. It’s a typical thing to say, but we’re excited to start getting this out there. Everyone really brought their best to the album, and brought out the best in each other, and that goes for everyone behind-the-scenes too. I’m honestly just over here happy that I fit the word ‘buddy’ into a song.”
The album starts strong, with opener ‘Lie Between The Lines’. The song immediately shows you what this record is going to be. It’s the perfect hybrid of the sounds that Dillinger Escape Plan and Every Time I Die have spent 20 plus years crafting. The riffs chug like the ETID riffs we’ve come to love, but feel more focused, and angry. It’s honestly, too good. ‘Your Misplaced Self’ is a quick, 92 seconds of pure thrash that makes me just want to dropkick people in a pit.
‘A White Horse Covered In Blood’ is the lead single for the record, and speaking on the songs music video, guitarist Jordan Buckley humorously shares, “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!” And he’s right. This entire record has me wanting to throw my friends through walls, in the most loving way possible.
‘Future Myopia’ is the first track on the record that feels much more like a DIllinger track. I didn’t expect Jordan, Goose and Micciche to vibe much with the more mathcore vibes this song puts out, but it’s definitely an album highlight. ‘Deliver Us From Life’ slows things down a bit, and gives an almost southern rock sounding grunge feeling. Southern rock and grunge should not meld together. But with the production knowledge of Will Putney, it seems like anything is possible. ‘Drowning In A Burning World’ brings the hardcore mood back though, with another song, that on an album of songs that it’s hard to pick the best, truly shines.
‘Everything Was Put Here For Me’ brings back the southern sound back, but in metal form (cue the Milhouse meme). It is the one song on the record that hasn’t fully hit for me yet, but I know in time it will. ‘Superman Died Paralyzed’ though. Holy shit. What an awesome three and a half minutes this song is. This is my favorite track on the record. It’s not the one I’d show to people to get them hooked. But holy hell do I adore how solid this track is. ‘At All Times’ is another slow one, placed perfectly as the second last song, before album closer ‘Love As An Act Of Rebellion’. ‘At All Times’ is a song that is a true showcase of just how freaking good Greg Puciato’s clean vocals are.
If you know the bands Greg has been in, you’ve always known. But this is the true showcase of his ability. The song also has a killer solo too. ‘Love As An Act Of Rebellion’ closes off the record with more metalcore chaos, in what I would probably consider an album of the year contender. A strong debut album for Better Lovers, and I am incredibly excited to see where they go from here.
Song recommendations: ‘A White Horse Covered In Blood’, ‘Future Myopia’, ‘Superman Died Paralyzed’
Final Score – 9.6/10
