Alt-pop powerhouse duo THE DRIVER ERA has dropped yet another single from their upcoming album Obsession, releasing on the 11th of April. “I’d Rather Die” has a more minimalist production compared to previous singles, but is still stapled with the brother duo’s infamous catchy melodies and synth sounds.
The crunchy and tight drum machine that can be found in any THE DRIVER ERA release is still prominent in this single, but is accompanied by far less instrumentation. The introduction has a taped piano that sets the laidback tone of the song along with the gang vocals that are easily the centerpiece. A small tube-sounding synth is sprinkled sparingly throughout the song so that the iconic synth alt-pop style that THE DRIVER ERA have developed over the years isn’t lost. A bass moves between the drum beat and main vocal melody and gives the rest of the production a grounding to work off of. This lets the keys and drums take up less space without sounding small. The instrumentation doesn’t have much build or change by the song’s end, but the vocal layering and doubles offer enough variation that instrumental change isn’t needed.
As it always is with THE DRIVER ERA, the melody is infectious and it doesn’t take long for the vocals to get stuck in your head. The aforementioned vocal layering only adds to this catchiness as the duo states, “if I can’t have you / I’d rather die.” The staccato melody in the chorus gives both a bit of energy to the more relaxed song and a replacement and small nod to the typical staccato synth melodies of THE DRIVER ERA.
Obsession is out next month and is set to be another incredible album from the American alt-pop icons. If you’re wanting to hear “I’d Rather Die” live, The Driver Era are currently on the road, touring across North America. Tickets are available here.
THE DRIVER ERA live dates
March 28 – Garden City, ID – Revolution Concert Hall
April 5 – Monterrey, MX – Tecate Pal Norte
April 25 – Buenos Aires, AR – Estadio Obras Sanitarias
April 27 – Santiago, CL – Teatro Caupolicán
April 30 – Rio de Janeiro, BR – Sacadura 154
May 02 – São Paulo, BR – Tokio Marine Hall
May 30 – Milwaukee, WI – BMO Pavilion
May 31 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
June 2 – Sterling Heights, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
June 3 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
June 5 – Toronto, ON – Coca-Cola Coliseum
June 6 – Lewiston, NY – Artpark Mainstage Theater
June 7 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
June 9 – New York, NY – SummerStage in Central Park
June 11 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia presented by Highmark
June 13 – Asbury Park, NJ – Stone Pony Summer Stage
June 14 – Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
June 16 – Baltimore, MD – Pier Six Pavilion
June 18 – Virginia Beach, VA – Venue TBA
June 20 – Raleigh, NC – The Red Hat Amphitheater
June 21 – Charleston, SC – Firefly Distillery
June 22 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
June 24 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
June 27 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park
June 29 – Kansas City, MO – Starlight Theatre
July 1 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
July 3 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
July 5 – Las Vegas, NV – Brooklyn Bowl
July 9 – Seattle, WA – WAMU Theater
July 10 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
July 12 – Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds
July 15 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 16 – San Diego, CA – Gallagher Square at Petco Park
July 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium
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