On July 1, the Island record label released American Author’s sophomore album, What We Live For. The record follows in the footsteps of its predecessor. Full of bright pop music with arching harmonies, it is an album for happy people.
The music on this album is a lot of fun. ‘Right Here Right Now’ pulls you along with handclaps and driving guitar. ‘Nothing Better’ uses playful banjo for a pop-country feel. ‘Go Big or Go Home’ is heavy with banjo and drums for a joyful tune, and ‘Mess with Your Heart’ is bursting with cheerful, loving lyrics.
The record is mostly uplifting. On the single, ‘Pride,’ Zachary Barnett sings of pride in where he comes from and what he does. ‘Superman’ is about soaring to new heights and being your own hero. There seem to be only two songs that bring down the joviality. One is ‘No Love’ which is a sad song of falling out of love. The other is ‘Replaced’ which is kind of the pit of the album. It’s slow and dull, sounding like a million other pop ballads.
Largely, this is an album that’s pleasant on the ears. American Authors are the sound of pop today. If you’re looking for an album to cheer you up and make you bounce, What We Live For is it.