Since their explosive debut with God Made Me an Animal, Better Lovers have cemented themselves as one of the most volatile and exciting bands in modern hardcore. Featuring ex-members of Every Time I Die, The Dillinger Escape Plan, and Fit for an Autopsy, their pedigree alone set expectations sky-high. With Highly Irresponsible, they not only meet those expectations but obliterate them, delivering an album that’s raw, chaotic, and deeply cathartic.
Unfiltered Aggression & Unhinged Energy
From the first track, Highly Irresponsible grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. The album is an absolute whirlwind of panic chords, bone-crushing breakdowns, and throat-shredding vocals, blending the reckless abandon of Every Time I Die with the unpredictable chaos of Dillinger Escape Plan. But this isn’t just a nostalgia act—it’s a band with its own identity, pushing the boundaries of what hardcore and metalcore can sound like in 2024.
Tracks like “Oblivion Ain’t Over” and “Godlike” hit like a runaway freight train, featuring razor-sharp guitar riffs and Greg Puciato’s signature blend of shrieking highs and guttural lows. Jordan Buckley’s guitar work remains a highlight—his signature riffing style, chaotic yet groove-driven, makes every track feel urgent and unpredictable. Meanwhile, Will Putney’s production ensures that every note, every scream, and every blast beat hits with maximum impact.
Songwriting That Balances Chaos and Catchiness
One of the most impressive aspects of Highly Irresponsible is its ability to balance sheer aggression with memorable hooks. “Forever Twice” is a perfect example—its off-kilter rhythms and jagged riffs make for a disorienting listen, yet it still manages to deliver a chorus that lodges itself in your brain. The album constantly shifts gears between unpredictable mathcore insanity and more groove-oriented moments that give you just enough time to breathe before the next assault.
Even in its most chaotic moments, there’s a sense of control behind the madness. “The Flowering” feels like a direct punch to the gut, with Puciato delivering some of his most visceral vocal performances to date. But then there are tracks like “No Kings, No Gods”, where the band embraces a more melodic side, layering in haunting cleans without losing any intensity. It’s a reminder that this band isn’t just about speed and violence—they’re also masterful songwriters.
Lyrical Rage and Catharsis
Lyrically, Highly Irresponsible feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. Puciato’s lyrics oscillate between poetic abstraction and blunt-force honesty, touching on themes of self-destruction, societal collapse, and personal redemption. His delivery is as feral as ever—whether he’s spitting venomous lines or delivering haunting cleans, there’s an urgency in his voice that makes every word feel like a life-or-death statement.
Lines like “Bury me laughing, I don’t need saving” (from “Nothing to Save”) capture the band’s nihilistic energy, while moments in “Dead Weight” reflect on loss and resilience without ever losing the album’s relentless pace. There’s no filler here—every track serves a purpose, hitting like a gut punch and leaving you wanting more.
The Verdict: An Instant Classic in Modern Heavy Music
Highly Irresponsible is everything fans hoped for and more. It’s violent, chaotic, intelligent, and emotionally raw—a perfect storm of all the best elements from the band members’ past projects, forged into something entirely their own. It never overstays its welcome, keeping the energy at maximum from start to finish, but also showing just enough dynamic range to keep things fresh.
If you’re a fan of Every Time I Die, Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge, or even newer acts like Knocked Loose, this album is essential listening. Better Lovers have proven that they’re more than just a supergroup—they’re a band with their own fire, and Highly Irresponsible is just the beginning.
Rating: 8.5/10
