It is a great time to be a fan of pop-punk with multiple new up-and-coming bands releasing amazing music. As well as, some of the larger acts releasing highly anticipated albums this year, it comes as no surprise that Neck Deep has released an amazing sophomore full length. Neck Deep has made it clear to the pop-punk world that they are here and they’re swinging for the fences.
Life’s Not Out To Get You unlike Wishful Thinking abandons easycore and embraces the pop-punk lifestyle in full. Rather than double bass breakdowns and “chugga-chugs” Neck Deep uses catchy jump guitar riffs and even occasionally brings out the down-chorus. However you will occasionally catch Bens’ voice breaking into a scream or yell reminiscent of hardcore.
Life’s Not Out To Get You opens up on an insanely heavy song that showcases the bands hardcore roots and leaves everyone who said Ben’s voice wasn’t ‘british’ enough standing mouths agape. Ben yells half the song yet it never feels out of place or wrong in the genre. Rather it feels like a natural progression for Neck Deep. This opening energy is kept throughout the whole album. Never does it let up or hold back, each one of the can holds its own. From the melodic and catchy singles like “Can’t Kick Up the Roots” and “Gold Steps” to the fast paced verses of “Threat Level Midnight” every song stays in your head, keeps your toes tapping, and leaves you keeping the album on repeat. Some may say this is because of their producer Jeremy McKinnon (of A Day To Remember), however I’d argue that it’s partially on his accord. But I’d say that Jeremy just pushed them and helped them find their own melodic pop-punk voice.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Suggested Tracks: “Can’t Kick Up The Roots”, “Gold Steps”, “Kali Ma”
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