They just blew our minds again. letlive's 4th album is set for a June 10, 2016 release date. The album's first single, "Good Mourning, America" is another politically charged gem that takes direct stabs at our fucked up country, and police brutality in particular. But we'll get into that more in a bit.
To pre-order the album click this (link).
Hitting us with another masterpiece, letlive are without a doubt one of the most unique bands out there. Their previous album, "The Blackest Beautiful" introduced us to their blend of funk rock, post hardcore, and punk rock. On paper, it sounds like a chaotic mess. But in the right hands, it's simply amazing.
Jason Butler's lyrics have always been spot on, dealing with everything from heartbreak ("Muther"), and growing up ("Younger"). But what roots them in the punk world are their politically charged lyrics. Butler isn't shy about expressing his opinions on his home country, speaking from the heart. His passionate live performances only add to the song's weight. Attacking topics like violence, injustice, and corruption, this song speaks to so many people, from all walks of life.
The title alone gives you as a listener a good idea what kind of son you're in for. The song starts off with a "spoken" bit, that highlights police violence. Then a choir chants the song's first verse. There's a distinct lack of that "ADHD" feeling they band's previous material had. And the strong funk, southern rock vibe is a bit new to listeners as well. It may take a while to digest, but once you get past some of the changes, the track is pure gold.
The second half of the song is more energetic and captivating than the first. A sudden charge of the song's chorus gives the massive amounts of energy. The main guitar riff recalls memories of classic rock, with the grit and heavy distortion. The "organic" way "The Blackest Beautiful" is once again applied to this new song. If Stephen George is once again responsible for the mixing, then we tip our hats to him. The song's production is raw and crisp, but not without its grittier, and effect laden moments.
Summary -
One band that never ceases to amaze. Despite lineup changes, letlive are still going strong as ever. The sound they started developing on "The Blackest Beautiful" has given birth to this incredible song. We can only hope the rest of the album lives up to the band's reputation. It's infused with soul (not the genre of music), and passion, something many songs lack these days. Punk enough for the fans of letlive's heavy material, but diverse enough to show these guys aren't one trick ponies. They just keep cranking out the hits. The only thing we're sad about is the death of Jason's beard. RIP "letbeard", we'll miss you.
Rating - 8.5 to 9/10