Words by James Lavel
Only a short 16 months is all it took for long-time friends Greg Puciato (The Dillinger Escape Plan), Jordan Buckley, Steve Micciche and Clayton “Goose” Holyoak (Every Time I Die), as well as Producer / musician extraordinaire Will Putney (Fit For An Autopsy) to create Better Lovers and move from the basement to headlining stages in the European festival scene.
No member of Better Lovers is a stranger to the stage, their shared bag of experience oozes into every note of their music and their live shows. Will Putney’s dual role of guitarist and producer compliments a group that is tightly entwined with each other’s ideas and visions keeping it in a pressure cooker that harnesses a clear and well-defined strategy.
Having released an EP and a handful of singles, all to critical acclaim, Better Lovers aren’t here to fuck around. With the band’s first full-length LP ‘Highly Irresponsible’ released today, I scored early opportunity to hear what has quickly become my favourite heavy album of 2024. It’s fresh, it’s heavy, it’s melodic, it’s groovy, it’s angry, it’s Better Lovers.
Opening the album is Lie Between The Lines. A warm ominous atmospheric opening that doesn’t prepare you for the hard-hitting riff that’s waiting around the corner for you with a hammer. Once it hit, I was hooked. Certified headbanger full of fresh guitar tones, thought provoking riffs, vocals dripping with that Puciato aggression and melodic intensity. This track is pretty much stank face personified. The wall of guitars is crushing, the production is on point, the mix is clear and tasteful that displays every nuance and the little added spices from Putney.
Your Misplaced Self is a minute and a half of pure intensity yet, perfectly paced. Aggression on display, the song feels as if it grabs our hand and quickly lead us to the basement ties us up before the killer single A White Horse Covered in Blood. A track that is full of punchy beats, ripping bass lines and filthy guitar riffs. Greg portrays an imposing presence in this track, it almost feels like he is taunting us. The energy in this tack is unreal, the guys really bounce off each other creating a groove that’s intoxicating. Hook filled chorus’ lead us to a mind crushing breakdown that subverts expectations before building back up into a crushing outro.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNocoFQ0ecE
Future Myopia continues to take us down the rabbit hole. Modern guitar tones masterfully fill out the space. Greg showcases his unique vocal stylings on this track blending flavorful vocal melodies with the chaotic riffs of Jordan, Steve & Will. A killer chorus and hook in this track, the way the song changes pace and feel as the track goes on is enticing. A smooth bass line from Steve moves us through the middle of the track towards an utterly chaotic breakdown/outro.
If the previous tracks were dragging us down the rabbit hole Deliver Us From Life is what we find at the bottom. This track is a slight reprieve from the chaos letting us lay on the ground while the room spins around us. A showcase of the extreme talent of these musicians as they provide a clean, catchy upbeat track that almost lets you forget the madness behind their eyes… almost.
Just as you close your eyes and begin to breathe again, Drowning In A Burning World peels back your eyelids and stares right into the heart of your soul with a riff of pure insanity. “Sorry buddy, you’re not safe here” the track seems to say. The opening riff reminds me of some bizarre guitar wizardry you would expect to hear from Brent Hinds (Mastodon). How they heard that in a room, didn’t slap whoever played it and instead harnessed the fury and built a chaotic track that leans into Greg’s expertise in weird, is nothing short of impressive. Almost Bungle, almost Patton but with furious intensity found only here.
Everything Was Put Here For Me keeps up the pace, spearheaded by aggressive drumming from “Goose” and supreme bass riffs from Steve Micciche. This track is thick and suffocating. The bass sneaks around behind the guitars popping out with tasty little moments. Greg’s aggression soaks his lyrics with potency. Superman Died Paralyzed builds on top of the ferocity of the last two tracks doubling down, with ranting vocals from Puciato leading us into a brutal chaotic breakdown that drags you through to the end while belting the piss out of you.
At All Times feels like a resolution to the aggression of the last 3 tracks. Classy bass lines, melodic riffs, striking vocals accented by tasty drum fills. This track feels like it’s here to remind you these guys are top of their game. The song writing here is top notch. Perhaps the most accessible track on the LP and the perfect song for the final single release before dropping this killer album. This song not only highlights the impressive capabilities of the entire band but it’s such a showcase of the dynamics of Greg Puciato’s ability as a vocalist.
It feels as if the last track let us out of the basement but Love As An Act Of Rebellion is now chasing us down the street with the hammer. I love this track as a closer to the album, it embodies all the elements of the others while keeping a fresh tone. There are some rad sections as the song kicks along, cheeky time changes, breaks, filthy unsettling riffs. Really killer stuff.
From cover to cover ‘Highly Irresponsible’ is a showcase of the combined experience of five first class musicians firing on all cylinders. If you are a fan of The Dillinger Escape Plan, Every Time I Die, Fit For An Autopsy or any of the amazing bands Will Putney has produced/performed in or just good heavy music? Check this album out, it’s not one to be missed.
‘HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE’ IS OUT NOW – LISTEN HERE
With thanks to Dallas Does PR + SharpTone Records
