Rhode Island’s Another One Down! are on their way to becoming your new favorite pop-punk band with their debut LP, A Bitter Descent. Having released singles and EPs since 2015, the band has finally released a collection full of instant hits. Expressing heartbreak and devotion along with youthful stories, you’ll be questioning if you’re in 2002 or 2022.
A Bitter Descent kicks off with ballad “Please Don’t Walk Away,” already pulling you into nostalgia with alluring vocals. Capturing the emotional sentiment of young adults struggling with romantic relationships in its lyrics, it’s easily relatable. This track will leave you longing for spending summer nights with someone special. “Empty (Without Me)” expresses the total pop-punk attitude with its catchy guitar riffs, upbeat tempo, and bitter-sweet vibe. Lyrics such as “Do you lye awake and contemplate why you can’t find relief?” will engage listeners and have them craving more.
Pulling you into its charming melodies, “Sulk” features heavy basslines, captivating guitar riffs and a memorable chorus. The song presents an ‘everything’s fine’ effect and will have you reflecting on past decisions. “Headspace” offers sensitive lyrics that get inside your head and dig deep. The touching music video expresses emotional damage and what one toxic relationship can do to someone.
Traveling further into harder hitting track “Exeter,” you’re shown a different side of Another One Down! With thundering drums, rapid guitar riffs and howling vocals, you’ll find yourself jumping around to the track wherever you may be. “High” slows things completely down and challenges you with a softer ballad than the first track. The lyrics “You’d rather be high than be with me” are a statement that is often too true in relationships. Picking up the tempo mid-song, the band reminds you that even slower songs can still hit hard. Continuing with the softer vibe, the title track closes it out with the perfect sendoff of mixing pop-punk upbeat tracks with swaying lyrics that will capture your heart forever. Lyrics “The farther I fall, the harder it gets, to pull myself out of the thoughts in my head they’ve swallowed me whole, as I finally fall to my bitter descent,” symbolize closure of the album and tie everything together. From front to back, A Bitter Descent confesses a story and you don’t want to miss out on the ever-lasting journey.
Since 2015, Another One Down! has been producing rock tracks proving they’re the new wave of pop-punk and have matured into their latest work with A Bitter Descent. With already having dedicated fans, the band is making their mark in the music world and letting them know the band is here to stay. Another One Down! has graced me with a timeless collection of tracks that will live with me forever in my pop-punk heart. I’m elated to see what the band produces next!