Neck Deep’s 2015 sophomore album absolutely bucked the trend of the sophomore slump, delivering some of the best pop punk of the 2010’s which is saying something considering how much the genre had seen a resurgence in popularity that decade. Life’s Not Out To Get You sounds incredible– Lloyd Roberts’ and Matt West’s guitars are absolutely MASSIVE in every single section, with Roberts’ lead parts in particular managing to steal the show countless times, and the rhythm section of Fil Thorpe-Evans (bass) and Dani Washington (drums) are thicker than frozen peanut butter. Lead vocalist Ben Barlow is equally up to the task with soaring lead vocals that consistently push the upper range of his register and create that earnest urgency which fits the eclectic arrangements like a glove. It can’t be overstated how damn good this entire record sounds– lead producer Jeremy McKinnon (lead singer of metalcore band A Day To Remember) should effectively be inaugurated as a sixth member considering how much he threw down behind the studio monitors.
This is pop punk with a huge nod towards bands like Sum 41 and New Found Glory, filled with all of the ADHD goodness of diverse parts that the modern iteration of the genre is known for. If you’ve been a fan of pop punk fan at any point in the last 25 years Life’s Not Out To Get You is one of those albums that needs to get in your rotation ASAP.
Standout Songs: “Serpents”, “Citizens of Earth”, “Can’t Kick Up The Roots”
