Neck Deep has released All Distortions are Intentional on July 24 via. Hopeless Records.
The album features singles “When You Know,” “Lowlife,” “Fall,” and “I Revolve (Around You.)” Here is the album’s track list:
- Sonderland
- Fall
- Lowlife
- Telling Stories
- When You Know
- Quarry
- Sick Joke
- What Took You So Long
- Empty House
- Little Dove
- I Revolve (Around You)
- Pushing Daisies
My favorite single that was released was “When You Know.” I guess I truly “know” it’d be a song I’d have on repeat. It was catchy, feel good, and felt like such a fun single to release. It gave me the excitement that “In Bloom” did with Neck Deep’s The Peace and The Panic. The music video for “When You Know” was so fun. It incorporated fans and other musicians in the industry. It was unique that the group got people involved during the global pandemic.
All Distortions Are Intentional was something I was highly anticipating. What I found to be interesting was the fact that the album didn’t have any features. As someone who likes when bands collaborate, I was a bit confused that Neck Deep (of all bands) didn’t have any singles featuring other groups. The singles were pretty good to stand alone, but when the entire album released I learned more about the true meaning of it.
Personally, I fell in love with the concept this album wasn’t just an album just being “angsty” (though it had its moments with “Sonderland” and “Sick Joke”) I love that this album follows a storyline- a love story between characters Jett and Alice. Their love story unfolds but dives deep into the idea that Jett battles mental illness. I love that the songs were chosen when they were for the purpose of the story. To think that “When You Know” is a straight up love song then goes into a song like “Quarry” where you can clearly hear how Jett loves Alice but still feels like he can jump off a cliff. If you’re interesting in getting a track-by-track guide with Ben Barlow and Sam Bowden, check out this article from Kerrang!
When it comes to production of the album, I like the transition between “Sonderland” and “Fall.” When an album can transition from song to song so seamless, it wins points in my book. The album is fairly diverse with its sound which also is a win to me. When a band releases an album that all sounds quite similar, it’s hard for me to differentiate between songs which is a turn off. In the song “Telling Stories” you can hear the lyrics “I can be such a prick” the same time as you can hear “I can be such a bitch” if you are listening through headphones. I thought that was a super fun Easter egg to the album. I love that songs like “When You Know” and “What Took You So Long” are straight up love songs. You can hear it in the fact the songs are upbeat and have lyrics of infatuation. With the pop-punk genre, it’s easy for bands to fall into the hatred of a relationship and how it ends instead of showcasing the moments you knew you fell in love. I like that this album had those love songs and countered with others like “Empty House.” Though the story isn’t truly an “original” story, it is very relatable.
Neck Deep announced a tour in late 2019 to travel across the United States in support of their new album, but there is no word if the tour is continuing due to the global pandemic. Keep up to date with Neck Deep on their Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
I think it’d be really cool if Neck Deep did a tour in support of All Distortions Are Intentional and played the album in full. While the band in narrating the “story,” two people can physically narrate the love story on stage. So if you’re reading this, Neck Deep, be sure to credit me!
What did you think of All Distortions Are Intentional? Let me know @ovictoriamedia.
In other news, Broadside released Into The Raging Sea, Neon Trees released I Can Feel You Forgetting Me, Go Radio released a new single “So Love,” and Movements released a new single “Don’t Give Up Your Ghosts” along with No Good Left To Give set to release on Sept. 18.
Rock on, stay humble, and be positive!
-ovictoria
ovictoria 