When I last checked in with Weatherstate, lead vocalist Harry Hoskins shared some of the insight that went into their new album Never Better as well as the latest single/music video for ”Headstone.” As I continued to explore the band’s sound on this full-length record, I became enamored with the direction the band took on this 11-song LP that hits its intended target more often than not. In addition to band leader Harry Hoskins, Weatherstate is comprised of Callan Milward (lead guitar), Joe Hogan (bass), and Toby Wrobel (drums) who each have at least one standout moment on Never Better. Hoskins shared this about the direction the band took, “Never Better stems from a place of monotony, helplessness, and apathy at the state of the world around us. The record reaches out to different feelings that many of us have experienced over the last few years, from a state of mind that is pessimistic when faced with the question, will things ever improve? Lyrically this album touches on personal grief, abusive & toxic relationships, losing touch with the things that you once loved growing, and overall acceptance that it is what it is, and you sometimes have to buckle up and move forward to keep yourself sane.” With so much relatable material, Weatherstate may have just made your next favorite album.
Kicking off the set with the tone setter “Low,” Hoskins sings over a casually strummed guitar that builds up into a wall of sound that bleeds into lead single “Hangar.” The band sounds incredibly well-knit, tight, and focused on this song that explodes out of the gate with purpose. Hoskins’ nasal-snarl vocal approach brings an abrasive flavor to the UK-based punk band that makes them sound tough and ready to get through the worst of times.
”Normality” opens cautiously with the steady drumming of Wrobel before launching into some great four-chord punk rock. The driving bass line from Hogan complements the guitar tones that producer Alan Day (Four Year Strong) went for on this collection of songs that made up Never Better. The overall theme of figuring out what it will take to get back to a state of normalcy weighs heavy on the lyrical material on this song, yet the band is ready to roll with each punch that life throws its way.
”Panic Attack” features one of the cooler opening guitar riffs I’ve heard in quite some time, and makes for a memorable change in approach to Weatherstate’s songwriting. The middle section of the song reminded me a bit of mid-career Allister blended with the pop polish of Fenix Tx. “Here In My Hell” is another example of the band picking up the tempo a great deal and still sounding in-tune with what each band member does best, and putting their best foot forward. The catchy chorus prevents the speedy song from passing by without a solid hook, so it’s great that the band was able to focus on these memorable moments.
”Pity Lines” is one of the closest songs to a ballad found on Never Better as the band opens up the wounds brought forth on the earlier material, and showcases a more sensitive side to their group. The pre-chorus to chorus build up leads to a massive sing-a-long opportunity that will likely lead to a cool crowd moment when the band returns to touring.
Other standout songs like “Current Dose” blast off with great energy and yet sound in-control enough to clearly hear Hoskins’ vocals, that are brought to the forefront of the production. The true “ballad” comes in the form of “Headstone,” a song that demands to be shouted along with as each lyrical line unfolds. The band really shines on songs like these that relate what’s happening in the world around us to the other “cog” in the machine of complex relationships we make in uncertain times.
The closing duo of “Never Getting Better,” which features some cool starts and stops to the guitars to explore the lyrics being brought forth, as well as a blistering solo from Milward at the end of the track to bring closure to the song, followed by the true closer in “Dead Space” round out the direction Weatherstate were going for on Never Better. The record’s flaws are very well-hidden, and if I were to harp on any shortcomings, it would be that a lot of the middle of the album sounds similar to each other, so it can be tough to distinguish if you’ve already heard certain parts before. Nitpicking aside, Never Better should be treated as a worthy companion to Weatherstate’s discography that is unfolding beautifully before our eyes, even if the world around us appears to be crumbling.