Album Review: The Driver Era – Obsession
3 min read
The Driver Era has quietly made a name for themselves in the alt-pop scene. The duo made up of Disney star Ross Lynch and his brother Rocky, made a splash with their debut single Preacher Man which topped indie and alternative charts. Their second album, Girlfriend, infused R&B and disco sounds with slick production, while Summer Mixtape took a more stripped-back and confessional approach. In their fourth studio album, Obsession, the brothers embrace a more rock and electropop sound, moving away from their R&B roots.
Seven of the eleven tracks on the album were released as singles with the first coming out nearly a few months before its release date. Its early release date almost led to You Keep Me Up All Night being discarded from the album, a decision that would have cost the album one of its most memorable songs. The track has a fast-paced beatline and an upbeat style that makes it a perfect opener, with Rocky’s more down-to-earth voice in the verses melding perfectly with Ross’ pop-style vocals in the chorus. It’s followed by Don’t Walk Away the second single, which has a hint of Girlfriend’s style in its retro-sounding chorus. It’s a slower track, with gentle vocals, and stripped-back guitar on the verse but the rapid drumline in the chorus keeps it feeling fun. The upbeat sound continues in Touch and Same Old Story with catch lyrics and synth effects moving the track more into the Electro Pop Club sound. A style the duo perfected with their concerts resembling club nights and making a big impact on social media. The Weekend feat Fern is another sing-along track, a duet that could become a karaoke night favourite.
The album takes a slower turn with Nothing Left to Lose, it leans into the stripped-back style of Summer Mixtape, with soft vocals and a laid-back nostalgic vibe. As it fades out it pulls in synth effects fading surprisingly seamlessly into Don’t Take the Night which leans on its heavy production with synth effects covering its repetitive lyrics. I’d Rather Die and I Can’t Believe She Got Away both lean into a slower more melancholy sound, the vocals becoming quieter and less assured as the duo sings “What are we doing anyway?”. Everybodys Lover keeps the darker more mature tone but leans into a more pop style. It deals with an unfaithful partner while keeping an upbeat pop style that clashes interestingly with the lyrics. The album closes on Better, an upbeat track, that while it doesn’t necessarily stand out does bring back the cheerful energy of You Keep Me Up All Night, ending the album where it began with optimism and positivity.
Obsession is The Driver Era’s most polished album so far, with a run of sing-along pop songs that contain many of the duo’s best tracks. With a highly anticipated tour starting in January of this year, The Driver Era have already cemented itself as a pop star but listing to obsession in its entry shows that they have a more mature style and ability to move between genres while keeping that positive infectiously catchy sound.
