Recommended tracks: “Karaoke,” “Baggy Jeans,” “Limbo”
Artists you might like: The Wldlfe, Nightly, The Wrecks
The Band CAMINO has returned with their third studio album, NeverAlways, offering their most authentically honest project yet. With 11 tracks and a 35-minute duration, the Nashville trio takes an introspective approach to relationships, growth, and self-identity with a more polished, redefined sound.
The album opens with “HasJustBegun,” a chilling introduction that evokes emotions of nostalgia and fragility. The short track ends showcasing stunningly soft piano notes as it fades into their classic indie pop-rock charm with “Pieces.” This track explores the anxiety associated with reclaiming control of your life and breaking old habits. Vocalist Jeffrey Jordan’s voice echoes as he sings, “If I get it together, I won’t like what I see, I’ll / Make up a million reasons that / Wasted potential looks, it looks so good on me.”
“What You Can’t Have” offers itself as one of the album’s most infectiously catchy tracks. The Band CAMINO details the reality of dealing with an indecisive partner who only shows interest after you’ve moved on with bouncy guitars and a steady drum beat. The song is a stunning account of the push and pull associated with a relationship like this, conveyed through the band’s heartfelt songwriting and Jordan’s playful vocal delivery. “Limbo” serves as another infectious moment on NeverAlways, beginning as a slow, piano-led ballad before erupting into a fast-paced pop-rock banger.
The second single from the record, “Baggy Jeans,” might be one of The Band CAMINO’s most compelling songs to date, both sonically and lyrically. Vocalist Spencer Stewart exclaims, “Wreck my life so casually” as the track navigates emotional detachment and the complex aftermath of a sudden, unexpected breakup. “Baggy Jeans” feels like the perfect bridge between the group’s early days and their current, more mature sound found throughout NeverAlways.
The record slows down with the next two tracks, “Can’t Go Back” and “Hates Me Yet (222).” Each song explores raw feelings of isolation and falling out of love with beautifully introspective lyricism that resonates as both haunting and comforting.
“Me Around You” continues this steady pace with an anxious perspective that tackles vulnerability and the fear of opening up to someone after being hurt. Stewart questions this prospective lover, asking, “Would you still take my hand if I gave up on pretending? / Do you want me for me or who do you want me to be? / ‘Cause I just wanna be me around you.”
“Stupid Questions” presents itself as an anthem for spiraling thoughts and overthinking. The track highlights the feeling of being plagued by the ‘what if’ phenomenon after a relationship ends. The Band CAMINO flourishes on this track, with their addictive guitar melodies and candid honesty on full display.
As NeverAlways winds down to its final two tracks, “Karaoke” shines as a heartfelt, emotional piece that glistens with the ache of watching a past lover move on and remembering the moments with them that left an indelible mark. Jordan laments, “It’ll always be you, even in another life,” which reflects on the lingering loneliness that’s intertwined with living with this kind of pain.
NeverAlways ends with “Infinity,” which was the first single released from the record. The placement of this track as the album’s final one was arguably the best decision the group could have made. With its explosive guitars, powerful vocal delivery from Jordan and Stewart, and hopeful lyrics, The Band CAMINO delivers an outstanding cathartically cinematic conclusion to such an impactful record. Speaking on the record, the band shares,
“NeverAlways is a reflection of our past couple of years as a band – sonically and emotionally. We wrote these songs in a period of intense change, but making it felt like returning to ourselves in a way – like growing up and becoming a kid again all at once. It’s an album about getting caught up in extremes – life, death, never, and always. But finally understanding that real living, the good stuff, happens somewhere in between.”
The Band CAMINO find themselves at their most authentic and honest yet with the release of NeverAlways. Perfectly showcasing their infectious indie pop-rock roots with more maturity in their production and songwriting, the album radiates as a full-circle moment for the trio that cements their creative individuality. The group is set to hit the road in support of the new record on their NeverAlways World Tour, starting with a fall North American leg and concluding with dates overseas in Australia and New Zealand next year. Tickets and information for The Band CAMINO’s upcoming tour dates can be found here.
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