Rocker (feedbot)
Gold Member
- Messages
- 4,493
- Reaction score
- 32
- Points
- 16
From their humble beginnings in 2011 to sets at Download Festival, 2000 Trees and Teddy Rocks, this South Coast outfit has always had a knack for writing songs that just click. They’ve been delivering catchy pop-punk anthems for a while now, but with ‘Life Lately’, it feels like they’ve really come into their own. This album is a reflection of their journey as a band; one that shows how far they’ve come, both musically and personally, while keeping the energy and rawness that fans have come to love. It’s also, as they put it, ’13 tracks of pop punk goodness’. That, it absolutely is. It’s the sort of album that will register on the first listen, but will have you going back for another listen, and then another. It feels like their most polished work yet, but full to the brim with personality – and it’s SO catchy.
The album kicks off with ‘Best Days,’ a track that immediately sets the tone with its fast, punchy guitars and an anthem chorus. It’s high-energy, it’s fun, and it makes it clear that The Bottom Line aren’t slowing down anytime soon. But the further you get into ‘Life Lately’, the more it becomes apparent that this isn’t just another collection of feel-good pop punk songs. There’s a maturity to these tracks that wasn’t as pronounced in their earlier work, and it’s a welcome shift.
Next is ‘Fake Love’, a punchy, infectious anthem about the struggles of modern relationships. It’s got the emotional depth of a heartbreak ballad but wrapped in a catchy, upbeat package. ‘Unpredictable’, with an impressive feature from Jaret Reddick of Bowling For Soup, whose vocals you could recognise from a mile away, absolutely steals the show. It’s playful, high-energy, and instantly memorable – this feels like a standout track. ‘Life Lately’ shifts gears with a more introspective angle. It’s still high energy, and definitely belt-able, but it’s raw and emotional, and definitely a highlight for anyone who’s been following their growth.
‘R.I.P’ brings all the fast-paced punk energy you could ask for. It’s fast, in-your-face, and unapologetically bold, shedding any toxic connections with a catchy, anthemic chorus. ‘Better Than This’ is another collaboration, this time with Peej of Punk Rock Factory (in case you missed it, TBL are set to support these guys on tour at the beginning of 2026); it’s light, uplifting, and the perfect track to scream along to in a crowd. ‘Never Enough’ is a very well-placed contrast to this, giving the listener that edge of vulnerability. ‘Lie To Me’ brings a little more bite with its defiance, and is still a very strong track, though it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as some of the others.
Having said that, at no point on this album does the listener have the opportunity to feel bored. TBL have never been known for long intros or slow-burners, and in this album is no different. The result? Thirteen tracks that blend seamlessly into each other, and the feeling of being totally immersed in the music for the duration.
‘Life Lately’ is really something special in that it feels totally relevant and well-rooted in the present day whilst simultaneously delivering a gut punch of nostalgia that’s reminiscent of a record like ‘Life’s Not Out To Get You’ by Neck Deep.
A lot of people seem to think pop punk is a thing of the past, and be it not for the resurgence of it online over recent years, those people would have a point. The challenge now, though, is to bring something fresh and exciting to the table. Not only that, but something that makes the listener feel something, in the same way they did in the genre’s heyday. ‘Life Lately’ has nailed it, on both counts. If you’re looking for one of the closest things to pop punk perfection to be released this side of the late-2000s, The Bottom Line are one to watch.
KATHRYN EDWARDS
The album kicks off with ‘Best Days,’ a track that immediately sets the tone with its fast, punchy guitars and an anthem chorus. It’s high-energy, it’s fun, and it makes it clear that The Bottom Line aren’t slowing down anytime soon. But the further you get into ‘Life Lately’, the more it becomes apparent that this isn’t just another collection of feel-good pop punk songs. There’s a maturity to these tracks that wasn’t as pronounced in their earlier work, and it’s a welcome shift.
Next is ‘Fake Love’, a punchy, infectious anthem about the struggles of modern relationships. It’s got the emotional depth of a heartbreak ballad but wrapped in a catchy, upbeat package. ‘Unpredictable’, with an impressive feature from Jaret Reddick of Bowling For Soup, whose vocals you could recognise from a mile away, absolutely steals the show. It’s playful, high-energy, and instantly memorable – this feels like a standout track. ‘Life Lately’ shifts gears with a more introspective angle. It’s still high energy, and definitely belt-able, but it’s raw and emotional, and definitely a highlight for anyone who’s been following their growth.
‘R.I.P’ brings all the fast-paced punk energy you could ask for. It’s fast, in-your-face, and unapologetically bold, shedding any toxic connections with a catchy, anthemic chorus. ‘Better Than This’ is another collaboration, this time with Peej of Punk Rock Factory (in case you missed it, TBL are set to support these guys on tour at the beginning of 2026); it’s light, uplifting, and the perfect track to scream along to in a crowd. ‘Never Enough’ is a very well-placed contrast to this, giving the listener that edge of vulnerability. ‘Lie To Me’ brings a little more bite with its defiance, and is still a very strong track, though it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as some of the others.
Having said that, at no point on this album does the listener have the opportunity to feel bored. TBL have never been known for long intros or slow-burners, and in this album is no different. The result? Thirteen tracks that blend seamlessly into each other, and the feeling of being totally immersed in the music for the duration.
‘Life Lately’ is really something special in that it feels totally relevant and well-rooted in the present day whilst simultaneously delivering a gut punch of nostalgia that’s reminiscent of a record like ‘Life’s Not Out To Get You’ by Neck Deep.
A lot of people seem to think pop punk is a thing of the past, and be it not for the resurgence of it online over recent years, those people would have a point. The challenge now, though, is to bring something fresh and exciting to the table. Not only that, but something that makes the listener feel something, in the same way they did in the genre’s heyday. ‘Life Lately’ has nailed it, on both counts. If you’re looking for one of the closest things to pop punk perfection to be released this side of the late-2000s, The Bottom Line are one to watch.
KATHRYN EDWARDS