TWO YEAR BREAK INCITE A REVOLUTION OF EMOTIONAL EVOLUTION WITH NEW ALBUM 'LIGHT IT UP' |

THE ONCE POP-PUNKERS STEER FANS IN A FRESH DIRECTION

Originally forming their foundations in pop-punk, Two Year Break have taken fans on a journey delving into paths of various styles and genres. From their roots in their 2021 debut album “Do You Wanna Find Love?”, they have ultimately arrived at their second album, “Light It Up”.

This record follows the concept of a video-game type story, with their artwork and video visuals representing this. It soundtracks a story of 2 fractions that clash against each other: The Regime and The Resistance. The Regime is described as the group of leaders who rule a flawless world with perfect citizens whereas The Resistance are the fraction of rejected “flawed clones” who are rebelling against The Regime. While listening to this album, I thought it was incredibly interesting how this was incorporated throughout the 8 tracks. This starts with the opening track ‘Listen Up’ which perfectly introduces these concepts as well as inciting a revolution of standing against the norm, or The Regime.

As well as the concept being ever present, elements of various influences are also frequent too. The band’s long time friend, Clint Murphy, produced “Light It Up” and the award winning producer is also behind work from bands like Enter Shikari. This could give grounds for the similarities between the bands among others including Don Broco, Kid Kapichi and Bring Me The Horizon. Heavy riffs and hooks accompany catchy choruses and diverse melodies to create an eclectic album injecting themes of self-care, self-therapy, kindness and overall happiness.

Four singles sparked the anticipation for the record and formed the foundation of which the rest of the record is built upon. ‘Listen Up’ and ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ are two of these singles and each got deserved airplay through different stations. ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ was played on Kerrang! Radio, Kerrang! TV with ‘Listen Up’ being made Track of the Week on the BBC Introducing Rock Show.

With each tune, every word is vocalised clearly, allowing the chance to really understand the messages Two Year Break are putting across. With ‘Don’t Bring me Down’ and ‘Unoriginal’, another single, ideas of calling out those who hurt us are brought to life. Lyrics like “sick of the lies, sick of the ties” and “stop saying that I am unoriginal” expertly voice the frustration of confronting notions placed against us.

This hurt and anguish continues in ‘Unoriginal (Reprise)’ and ‘First Attack’, two tracks that seem to be a continuation of track 3, ‘Unoriginal’, with ‘(Reprise)’ acting like an instrumental version. These tracks help to emphasise the band’s eclectic sound and pick out elements that summarise the album. ‘First Attack’ adds onto the idea of the third track by making it a conversation of kindness and selflessness vs selfishness. It asks “when was the last time you did something kind for someone else?”

The theme of self-therapy appears throughout the album, a cathartic release from any burdens we may be facing. However in ‘Revolution’ and title track, ‘Light It Up’, this theme is ubiquitous. Lyrics like “I feel so scared, I’ve lost control” and “it doesn’t feel right to bottle it up” provide a written evaluation of emotional evolution.

Second track, ‘Take It Down’ is one of my favourites from the record. It puts the feeling of attending live music events into a more physical concept. Brad Howard, the band’s vocalist, previously said the tune is representative of “the feeling you get at a live show, letting go of your troubles, letting loose.” You can experience this for yourself on March 23rd when the band takes to the stage in The Underworld venue in Camden.

The thing that stands out with this record is how intentional everything seems. There might be something you don’t quite get, or connect to,but I can guarantee that Two Year Break had a reason to put it there. I am very intrigued to see where Two Year Break take their musical identity next. Having moved on a continuous journey of evolving from pop-punk to fusing rock and electronic music, there’s so much scope for the band to explore within these genres, or alternatively move on completely. Everything about this album is so professional and I genuinely don’t have any major faults that are worth discussing.