“Best Day of My Life” by American Authors was THE anthem for 2013-2014. The song brings so much nostalgia of what life was a decade ago. Now, American Authors are back and better than ever with their full length album Best Night of My Life. You can listen to the album below.
American Authors have blossomed in the pop rock scene over the last 10 years. This album is a culmination of their successes & growth as individuals and as a band. The musicality gives that classic, upbeat American Authors vibe, yet with a more mature feel to it. The band dives into deeper topics than their hits typically do.
Check out our album review below!
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Of course, the title track “Best Night of My Life” is the perfect contrast to its predecessor. It opens with a very similar, yet totally opposite rhythm as the original song. To me, it feels like a more calm, fill-in-the-upbeats rhythm. The chorus is the same way: mimics, while also grows from “Best Day of My Life” in musicality & lyrics.
Track 2 titled “We Happy” gives a happy-go-lucky whistle opening with an upbeat clap behind it. The message of the chorus is quite uplifting:
“I got sunshine even on a cloudy day. Don’t care what other people say. We happy, no worry.”
It is one of those feel-good songs you need to have on repeat after a bad day at work.
“Same Bed” opens with one of my favorite pop-rock openings: strong, acoustic, bouncy vocals with a quiet rhythm behind it. Plus, those chorus lyrics are just epic:
“I’ve been driving back and forth through the desert singing Mr. Brightside, tryna pass the time.” (who wouldn’t want to jam to Mr. Brightside?)
It focuses on a long distance relationship and the desire to see each other whenever possible. I resonate with this a ton since my partner & I did long distance for months when we first got together. This is the perfect track for someone to jam to on their way to see their lover.
“Live On” is one of the more emotional tracks from Best Night of My Life. The ukulele mixed with soft vocals really hit home when listening to these lyrics:
“When I step into the night, I’ll leave the light on, so that you always find your way home. In my heart, you’re never gone—you live on.”
“It was an ode to Dave’s sister who passed away,” Zac reveals. “He lost her a couple of years ago around the holidays, and it was really tough on him and the rest of us. She was super young, so it was a horrible loss. It’s a simple and stripped-back tribute.”
“All Roads Lead to You” is another example of the band’s development of sound. These vocals are deeper, more passionate, and backed by a powerful piano melody.
“You’re my destination, my forever home. And I promise you, oh, I won’t let go.”
“Good Times” has a dramatic vocal opening which showcases the sassiness in the vocals. It builds up slowly until the chorus ends with the whistle-melody that defines this track.
The next track “Madness” is one of the most relatable songs on the album.
“All this madness, madness, madness, is bringing me down… But the only way is up from here now.”
A gentle reminder that rock bottom is, in fact, the bottom and things can only move forward from here.
The record closes with “Movin’ On” which focuses on getting out of an abusive relationship, according to Zac. He explains that “Even when you leave, you’re dumbfounded because the other person never understood it was an abusive relationship. You’re breaking free, moving on, getting out from underneath the situation, and knowing the best is yet to come.”
While the album maintains American Authors’ upbeat, iconic sound, it is clear the band has grown a ton over the last decade in their musicality, lyrics, & personal lives.
Despite all the growth and changes, the overall message of Best Night of My Life by American Authors is clear & consistent: things are great, and if they aren’t, they will get better.
American Authors just wrapped up their first tour of the year & have hinted to much more in store for 2023. Stay tuned!
Cover Photo Credit: DELFORIO
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