Looking for the musical pick-me-up that still has enough energy to fuel a weekend of debauchery? Look no further than the latest studio release from Beartooth! The new album is called The Surface, and it has that signature Beartooth sound, with a twist of self-love. Being the first release since vocalist Caleb Shomo got sober, the lyrical nature of the album has an overarching theme of finding ways to love yourself, while unapologetically living life in your own way. It has its heavy moments, its soft moments, its anthemic moments, and everything in between. Let us go through each track! The full album can be heard at the bottom of this page.
The Surface
The opening track sets the tone for the album perfectly. Chugging guitars, a breakdown, and classic-sounding Caleb vocals make up the composition. Lyrically, the song talks about mortality, and how important it is to grab life by the throat and live like there might not be a tomorrow. Shomo writes about getting a second chance at life, and how his worries are finally far behind or, under the surface.
Riptide
Yeah. This song rocks. Plain and simple. Serving as the first single released in 2022, “Riptide” deals with an internal struggle, romanticizing habits and demons that will ultimately end in tragedy. Personally, I think the song is a cry for help, having been buried in the darkness for so long. The catharsis that is felt when you finally break through that barrier and start bettering yourself. Nothing more rewarding.
Doubt Me
The ultimate revenge song for anybody who has ever felt like a punching bag. Talking about how every time someone puts you down, that fire and drive only grows hotter and brighter inside. This resonates with me personally, as it’s been a personal struggle of mine to set healthy boundaries and stand up for myself. It’s a very refreshing track. Also “now you’re stuck treading water, in the ocean alone. Little late for apologies, how ’bout a rope and a stone” goes hard as hell.
The Better Me (feat. HARDY)
Back on the subject of bettering yourself and not delaying your self-progress any longer, “The Better Me” is the only collaboration on the album. It features the voice of HARDY, a country singer turned rock songwriter in recent months. This song is really something because it’s something I think we all can take to heart. STOP. WAITING. Whatever “it” is, it’s not gonna happen unless you do something about it. Love it.
Might Love Myself
The self-love anthem of the summer. Pretty self-explanatory here, but this track is all about letting love enter your world. The song talks about that euphoric feeling when it finally gets let in, and how it literally changes the way you live and view the world. As somebody who, like Shomo, thought it could never happen to me, Shomo definitely nails the emotion and almost confusion that comes with it. Not anything super heavy from Beartooth here, just a super catchy feel-good song which is quite alright with me.
Sunshine!
This one was out of left field musically, but I’m here for ALL of it. Can you tell I love this album? Starting off with Caleb a cappella over a hi-hat just screaming about being trapped in the darkness and how sickening it is. The vibe changes immediately on the first chorus with a pleasant acoustic melody, talking about how healthy it would be to let some light in. Listeners are caught between the raw emotion of the darkness in the verses, and the overpower light in the chorus. We really get a feel of that internal mental struggle throughout the course of the song. Plus we get a nasty scream from Caleb in the breakdown which is always good. A killer track!
What’s Killing You
This song takes a turn lyrically, more so looking in from an outside perspective on somebody who is going through inner turmoil. Talking abut how hopeless it feels not being able to help someone you love who is going through stuff. As somebody who has lost numerous friends to suicide, the lyrics hit a little too close to home for me. It’s honestly nice to give those feelings a voice though, because it’s totally valid to feel down due to being unable to save someone. Love the tone of this one.
Look The Other Way
This song. Oof. I was not prepared for the emotional damage this would cause me on a Friday morning on the way to work. This song is beautiful, and by Beartooth standards I would call this one a ballad. Shomo details how he was drowning with a smile on his face, masking the pain he was really feeling inside. How he’s slowly putting his life back together, but he doesn’t want to show his true darkness for fear of pushing loved ones away. It’s powerful, it’s emotional, it’s real. VERY well done.
When I don’t even love myself you love me anyway
What Are You Waiting For
Right back to the aggressive positivity! Which is refreshing after how emotional “Look The Other Way” is. “What Are You Waiting For” is pretty self-explanatory, talking about taking back control of your life and not delaying any further. Musically it’s peak Beartooth, exactly what you would expect from a rockin’ Beartooth track.
My New Reality
Breaking out of the dark into a new world. That is exactly what “My New Reality” deals with lyrically. Circling back to “Doubt Me” and “What Are You Waiting For”, this track is all about living life to the fullest and how a dream that seem so unachievable, can become reality.
I Was Alive
This could be my new favorite song right now. Musically, “I Was Alive” soars with stacked vocals and big anthemic guitars in the chorus. It’s one of those songs that just feels good to listen to. Throughout the song I couldn’t help but smile, as Shomo sings about not wanting to be on his deathbed knowing he could’ve done more in life. The positivity and emotion in this song is infectious, and the PERFECT way to wrap up the album.
