Breaklights - Fool Me Once

Earlier this month, I promised I would have plenty more to write about Breaklights this spring and summer. I wasn't kidding. In advance of Wind Down, its forthcoming debut LP, the Austin-based band has released another single called "Fool Me Once." This is the first Breaklights song to feature guitarist Dan on lead vocals, but it won't be the last! The album will feature three tracks written and sung by Dan. And based on "Fool Me Once," I must say that having a second singer and songwriter in the band will only make Breaklights stronger. Dan's voice proves to be a perfect fit for Breaklights' heartfelt, melody-driven style. "Fool Me Once" is a pop-punk tune of the finest quality. Would you expect any less from Breaklights? Hearing this track makes me really excited for the album. Breaklights have always been a really good band, but these two recent singles have been next-level stuff. No one's going to be telling Charlie to hang it up, but I think a lot of us are wondering why Dan hasn't been contributing songs to this band all along! Wind Down will be out in June on Wiretap Records!

-L.R.

https://breaklights.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.facebook.com/breaklights/
https://www.instagram.com/breaklights/
https://www.facebook.com/wiretaprecords

Breaklights - "When You Talk"

When it comes to pop-punk or melodic punk or whatever you want to call it, it just doesn't get any smoother than Breaklights. The Austin-based band is back with another shot of tuneful punk rock that is destined to get stuck in your head within moments of first contact. "When You Talk" is the first single from the band's new album Wind Down (which will be releasing this summer on Wiretap Records). What I continue to appreciate about Breaklights is the way their songs evoke a '90s pop-punk feel without sounding derivative of any bands in particular. With its tight, polished sound; earworm melodies; heartfelt lyrics, and warm vocals (I would listen to Charlie sing the phone book), "When You Talk" is vintage Breaklights. And the music video for the song is an absolute hoot! I will have much more to write about Breaklights this spring and summer. Stay tuned!

-L.R.

https://breaklights.bandcamp.com/track/when-you-talk
https://www.breaklightsatx.com/
https://www.facebook.com/breaklights/
https://www.instagram.com/breaklights/
https://www.facebook.com/wiretaprecords

Breaklights - "Second To None"

Wow, time really flies! As I sat down to review Breaklights' new 7", I was surprised to discover that it's been four years since I last wrote about this Austin, Texas based band. "Second To None", out now on Otitis Media Records, is actually the band's first 7" following a couple of EPs. On this release, Breaklights retain their signature sound rooted in '90s/early 2000s melodic punk and pop-punk. I like to call it "pop-punk for grown-ups": powerful, melody-driven music with mature lyrics and a nice mellow vibe. This release was produced by FILMAGE director Deedle LaCour, and it sounds amazing. Breaklights have always sounded to me like a punk band from the '90s that would have been on a major or bigger indie label. They fully embrace big hooks and a polished sound, but that punk edge is still there. "Second To None" pairs Charlie's warm vocals and heartfelt lyrics with punchy guitars and a soaring energy. Although this song does not even reach the three-and-a-half minute mark, it has a grand, anthemic feel to it. The band does something a little unconventional with the arrangement of the song towards the end. I won't spoil the surprise other than to say that I enjoyed this little twist. "Overdue" is the flip side (literally) to the feelgood vibe of "Second To None". With an opening line like "Hanging around someone like you/Is a real bad time for two", you know exactly what you're in for. This is an honest analysis of how things can go wrong between two individuals, and I think a lot of people will relate. Again, this is a perfect example of how pop-punk can sound fully "mature" and still pack a serious punch. This is a great-looking 7" and a top-notch pair of songs from Breaklights. If you missed the band's 12" EP Don't Try So Hard from 2018, that's really great as well and definitely work checking out!



-L.R.

https://breaklights.bandcamp.com/
https://otitismediarecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/breaklights/
https://www.breaklightsatx.com/
https://www.instagram.com/breaklights/

Meet Breaklights!

Back in the 2000s, I was a big fan of a wonderful pop-punk band out of Texas called Joe Jitsu. It has probably been close to ten years (maybe more!) since the last time I reviewed Joe Jitsu, and I'm pleased as punch that the band's lead singer Charlie and drummer Tron are still going strong in the punk world. After Joe Jitsu disbanded, Charlie and Tron formed Closet Drama - which leaned more in an indie power pop direction. And now they're in Breaklights - a band that shares three members with Closet Drama. Based out of Austin, Breaklights originally formed in 2012 but never really got going as a band until January of this year. They've just released a fine debut EP called Instructed To Fail which was recorded at Hanson's private studio in Tulsa with the great Stephen Egerton producing.

I think the obvious difference between Closet Drama and Breaklights is that the latter are a proper return to Charlie and Tron's punk roots. The main songwriting inspiration here is '90s punk rock. I'm reminded so much of what they used to call "post-hardcore" or "melodicore" or "emocore" back in the day. But in 2016, I think it's better just to say that Breaklights play pop-punk for adults. The songs are melody-driven for sure, but there's a real sophistication to the way that they're written. And this isn't a band that feels compelled to play at light speed. Of course you're getting a polished sound with Egerton producing - and those dense, crunching guitars really suit this band. With his warm and engaging vocal presence, Charlie is the rare singer that can exude sincerity without coming across as a total sap. As soon as the vocals came in, it was like I was hanging out with an old friend. These four songs have a nice mellowed-out vibe to them - along with strong hooks and plenty of guitar wallop. Somehow "Fakeout" and "Drag Me Down" take me straight back to 1995 yet still sound very much "right now". That says an awful lot about the staying power and continuing relevance of pop-punk. "Mainstay" and "Attached To You" almost cross over into power pop - finding a perfect middle ground Joe Jitsu and Closet Drama.

All in all, this is quite an impressive debut EP for a band that's just six months removed from its first practice. I've been listening to it in my car for a few weeks now, and I just don't tire of it! If you had told me in 2005 that Charlie and Tron would still be playing punk music in 2016, I would have hoped it was going to sound like this. I'm excited to hear more!



-L.R.

https://breaklights.bandcamp.com/album/instructed-to-fail
https://www.facebook.com/breaklights/