British Alt-Pop Rock band The Xcerts have sewn together a tapestry of human emotion. On their fifth studio album, Learning How To Live and Let Go (UNFD), the trio explores feelings of love, lust, addiction, jealousy, despair, drama, ego, comedy, friendship, and everything in between.

 

‘GIMME’ was the first single dropped to build hype around the album, and is also the track that launches the 12-track album. It’s slathered in heavy vocal distortion that helps edge up the pop-rock sound.

Architects’ frontman Sam Carter chimes in on the second single off the album, titled ‘Ache’. The distortion is dialed back but the angst remains within the juxtaposed upbeat track against the solemn lyrics. The lyrics of ‘Ache’ house the album’s namesake, and while the track ends rather abruptly, it lends a symbolic nod to living and knowing when to let go.

 

The mid-album tracks provide a glimpse into The Xcerts flexibility and diversity. The slow-paced beseechment of ‘Drag Me Out’ and nostalgic reverie of the acoustic track of ‘Everything I Can’t Live Without’ serve as a lovely place to sit and rest for a while before the album picks back up with the upbeat and plucky ‘Lovesick’.

 

‘Lust in Translation’ offers up the most pop-driven influence track on the album, which reflects a likeness to American emo pop rock band Metro Station. From there, everything is reduced from a rolling boil to a gentle simmer.

The latter half of the album overall loses the distorted punchiness, but it’s replaced with heartfelt emotions that make up for the lack of swift-paced and boisterous tracks. It’s like being put to bed after a raucous night out and realizing after all the emotions and angst have been released, that even through life’s curveballs, you’re safely wrapped in the comfort knowing we all experience much of the same within our existence.

 

Buy the album here:

https://www.thexcertsband.com/

 

7 / 10

JESSIE FRARY