Better Lovers debut full-length record Highly Irresponsible via Sharptone Records has a lot to live up to, after receiving high praises on 2023 EP God Made Me An Animal. One of my favorite things about this record is the power with which it comes in with on the first track "Lie Between The Lines". The western action film-esque intro is just calm enough to allow listeners a second guess, but that ends quick and painless, as pulsing core guitar leads shove your doubt back down your throat.
From the four singles they've released off this record prior to release, they left room to question the direction of the full album and I didn't expect to love this record as much as I do. Better Lovers aren't making sounds that can be predicted with each track pushing new boundaries and including the term "super group" is unavoidable here. These members of Every Time I Die, Fit For An Autopsy, and The Dillinger Escape Plan were destined to create music together. No other type of group could make this kind of album, let alone in such a short timeline. A lot of bands boast pulling out all the stops and few actually execute, and that's because few have Will Putney on production next to Jordan Buckley with both destroying on guitars.
The tracks present newer vocal distortions, mid to high crisp screams, and the classic heavy chugging without being repetitive and boring. I'm glad the first track fades out a bit because I needed a moment to catch my breath before diving into the fast-paced second track "Your Misplaced Self". My ears catch a southern rock influence glossed onto Greg Puciato's already exceptional vocal sound. With each track feeling super catchy, I would have liked to hear a smidge more grit on Puciato vocals as they're incredibly clean and smooth, but damn near close to perfection for what I think the band was going for. How does every single song manage to harness melodies that worm their way into your brain ridges?!
Through my first listen, the production is just blowing me away, every single instrument line is a masterpiece mix of intricacy and satisfying structures. "A White Horse Covered In Blood" and "Future Myopia" have the same droning distortions, delivering a mesmerizing unease listeners can't turn away from. They are obviously all very talented but "Deliver Us From Life" and "Drowning In A Burning World" gives a special spotlight to the unmatched gritty guitars from Putney and Buckley, backed by Clayton "Goose" Holyoak on the drums and heavy bass from Stephen Micciche. The group maintains a fast metal guitar speed while remaining perfectly harmonious across every part of the instrument lines without repeating sounds.
If you're planning on seeing this record live, start your cardio circuits now because of all ten tracks, only "At All Times" gives a moment of rest for listeners. "Everything Was Put Here For Me" shows their hardcore roots especially in the drums here, with dread-inducing lyrics "We're dying nobody cares/we're dead, nobody cares".
On top of Highly Irresponsible's damn near perfect production, it is lyrically thick and profound. It feels like this group has finally unleashed themselves after being restrained and the result is a massive explosion of white hot energized talent. Better Lovers have shown their hand and it's just as powerful as we suspected. "Love Is An Act Of Rebellion" being the closing track of a record called Highly Irresponsible feels purposeful, wound down perfectly with a few seconds of silence until it loops seamlessly back into the opening track. On first listen, I didn't love this ending but I think it does wonders structurally in winding down from the high voltage brought on each piece. It caught me off guard how much I loved this record and it might be one of my favorites that I've heard this year.
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