Post-hardcore meets pop rockers Rain City Drive were teasing us for weeks with song previews from their newest album Things Are Different Now; we couldn’t wait to finally get our hands on it. Built from the ashes of California-based Slaves and the departure of former singer Jonny Craig, Florida-based Rain City Drive is made up of vocalist Matt McAndrew, guitarists Felipe Sanchez and Weston Richmond, bassist Colin Vieira and drummer Zachary Baker.
This album proves that Rain City Drive absolutely underwent a wave-making evolution, not simply line-up changes and a rebrand. We are treated to a smorgasbord of melodies and far too many candidates for our favourite song. Things Are Different Now explores themes of love, heartbreak, death, and the aftermath of them all.
Things Are Different Now starts with a bang-er. Lose My Composure is an immediate display of McAndrew’s dynamic vocal range which, mixed with the catchy breakdowns, makes this not only the perfect album starter but also an addictive track in itself. The newest single, Wish You The Best, is an angsty love note to that “you’re the worst” ex, exploring the battle between wanting to move on and being full of longing, but painful, nostalgia. Of the wealth of catchy choruses offered on this album, “I only wish you the best” has to be one of the catchiest; add in the exciting drum crescendos, a splash of heavier vocals, and the acoustic guitar outro, and we have one hell of a single.
Concrete Closure, another single, has a straight-out-of-a-romance-film, melodious hook – which comes as no surprise considering Rain City Drive’s growing reputation as “hook lords.” Next up is Medicate Me, featuring vocalist Rory Rodriguez from Dayseeker and currently their most streamed single from this album, with over 15 million streams on Spotify in the 4+ months it has been out. On this electrifying, whirlwind of a single, we get a glimpse of the band’s future: an unapologetic mixture of heavy rock melodies and modern pop experiments.
Another of the pre-released singles, Over Me, is a catchy enough, pop-infused track, but if we had to choose one track to not praise with every ounce of our being, this would be it. The album’s first single, Frozen, which we owe our thanks to for the ice cool album artwork, is a powerhouse rock anthem. The varying tempos and rock vocal undertones make this another fan-favourite.
Written about the loss of someone close to the band and dealing with the emptiness left behind, Neverbloom is a musical rollercoaster of emotion. The pre-choruses will give you butterflies as you anticipate the drum-heavy, impassioned chorus. In their Instagram teasers, Rain City Drive teased that the next track, Aware, would showcase some funk vibes in the verses and a huge-sounding chorus; we are delighted to confirm that they did not disappoint. With great transitions from pop to gritty-melodic vocals, this track is probably one of the angriest (but not too angry) on the album. The final scream of, “And act like you own me now,” accompanied by punchy drums that cut off abruptly, is a musical storm off and we love it.
With three tracks left on the album, Disarm the Hourglass comes not a moment too soon. The energetic tempos and beautifully frantic chorus transport you to an ethereal space where time stands still for two minutes and 47 seconds. The band’s lyrical genius is apparent in this, dare we say it, vocabulary-altering title: you will never catch us saying “stop time” again. The penultimate track, Elusive Dream, starts to slow the pace down with softer melodies and vocals; although the soul-chilling guitar riff three-quarters of the way through is a treat we didn’t expect.
Sacrifice is a spine-tingling album closer, with a chilling combination of echoing harmonies, drum breakdowns, and thought-provoking lyrics. If the question: “Would you sacrifice?” is referring to our time spent listening to and obsessing over Things Are Different Now, the answer is an undeniable, irrefutable YES.
The only thing we are more excited about than re-listening to this album (again… and again) is Rain City Drive’s trip to the UK as Dayseeker’s support on their European and UK tour, from 28th November – 13th December 2024.
9/10
Standout Tracks: Wish You The Best, Neverbloom, Disarm the Hourglass
For Fans Of: Set It Off, From Ashes to New, Point North
Written by: Lucy Dunnet
