Album Review: HARDLOVE - NEEDTOBREATHE

NEEDTOBREATHE are a band that are impossible to label. Their music has always been infused with a variety of genres. It's what makes the band stand out and stand the test of time and it's especially what makes their latest album, HARDLOVE, one of the year's most interesting releases so far. The four piece experiment even further on this, their sixth studio album.

There's a little bit of everything on this record and it's a fun journey, even if it's a little bit disjointed at times - musically, rather than lyrically.

The first half of the album is very full on. Title track, 'HARDLOVE' is a vibrant, pulsing track about how relationships are not straightforward and are often full of hardships needed to be overcome - hence the title. 'Money & Fame' is a definite highlight, the funk heavy number warning that the celebrity lifestyle is not as desirable as it seems. 'When I Sing' is another funky feeling song and whilst it's not as lyrically deep as the songs in the second half of the album, ii's still sweet nonetheless.

Lyrically, 'Let's Stay Home Tonight' and 'Clear' pack the biggest punch on the album and are found towards the end of the twelve tracks. The former is about how the simple things such as staying in with your love can be some of the most wonderful things, whilst the latter is a haunting piano led track - which was actually written for one of the brides of the band - and is absolutely beautiful.

HARDLOVE plays with many genres over the course of forty or so minutes and the variation of the songs is a welcome listen. This album will appeal to many and it deserves to be listened to by many. It's available now and it's well worth a purchase.

NEEDTOBREATHE Unveil Video for New Single 'HAPPINESS' - WATCH

Grammy-nominated South Carolina quartet NEEDTOBREATHE have unveiled the video for ‘HAPPINESS’, the lead single from their upcoming album H A R D L O V E released on July 15th through Atlantic Records.

Directed by Noble Jones (Taylor Swift, OneRepublic, Lady Antebellum) ‘HAPPINESS’ sees the cast – including NEEDTOBREATHE – running through deserted streets of LA. Describing the video, frontman Bear Reinhart says, “’HAPPINESS’ was a lot of fun to make...who doesn't want to run around the streets of LA in the dead of night? It's also the first video we've ever gotten to show off our athletic skills. You're welcome America.  #Rio2016”

Co-produced by NEEDTOBREATHE and recorded at their very own Plantation Studios in Charleston, SC, H A R D L O V E follows 2014’s Rivers In The Wasteland, which became a global smash hit, debuting in the US Billboard Chart at No. 3, and topping both the Rock and Alternative album charts. It spawned two huge hit singles, gold-selling ‘Brother (Feat. Gavin DeGraw)’ and the Grammy-nominated ‘Multiplied’, both of which gained UK airplay (the former landing itself on the BBC Radio 2 playlist).

The new album has seen the band delving into the world of electronic effects and instrumentation. The result: a sublimely crafted and expansive sound that still reflects the larger-than-life intensity of NEEDTOBREATHE’s unforgettable live show.



H A R D L O V E is now available for pre-order, with all purchases accompanied by an instant grat download of ‘HAPPINESS’ as well as album tracks ‘MONEY & FAME’, ‘NO EXCUSES’, and the recently released ‘GREAT NIGHT’ which features fellow South Carolinians Shovels & Rope. Exclusive album pre-order bundles that also include limited-edition merchandise are available at the band’s official online store.

 Signed copies of H A R D L O V E will be available exclusively for UK fans from the day of release from Banquet Records, Kingston and through their website www.banquetrecords.com.