‘The Best Part About Being Human’ by Bearings is the emo album of the year – album review

Canadian pop-punk band Bearings is back and more authentic than ever. The Best Part About Being Human dropped on August 18th and has already accumulated hundreds of thousands of listens on Spotify alone.

Vocalist Dougie Cousins, guitarists Ryan Culligan and Ryan Fitz, bassist Collin Hanes, and drummer Mike McKerracher used their return to touring as inspiration for their minimalistic approach to their third album via Pure Noise Records. After experimenting with synths and backtracks in previous albums, Bearings has focused on making music simple and fun with The Best Part About Being Human.

“It is rock music, not rocket science.”

Cousins explains “To me, this record sounds like how I felt when I was in grade 10 listening to blink-182: not too serious, just a good time and able to open up a little circle pit. I think we succeeded in writing songs we can play in a basement or in front of 2,000 people.”

Fans are connecting more than ever to their newest album. The Best Part About Being Human immediately gives off nostalgic summer festival vibes. Check out the record below!

The title of the album is very accurate for the story the record tells. It details the ups and downs of life, love, and heartbreak. Ultimately, it tells a story of struggling to manage emotions while also focusing on standing up for oneself in a toxic relationship. The record shows how the best part about being human is feeling emotions and managing the rollercoasters of life.

We loved the album so much that we decided to do a deep-dive analysis of our favorite tracks. Check out our album review below and keep up with us and Bearings on social media!

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The Best Part About Being Human is the emo pop-punk album of the year.

I saw Bearings in 2019 when they toured with Grayscale. They put on an excellent show (even though I didn’t know a single song). Now, Bearings is on the map for over 160,000 Spotify listeners. This number will undoubtedly skyrocket with the release of The Best Part About Being Human. As the band explained, this record is focused on the simplicity of good pop-punk music. Every single track takes me back to every pop-punk show I have ever attended. Their amazing riffs and drums will make a crowd headbang and jump up and down an entire show. Without a doubt, this album will be on repeat for the rest of the year.

Bearings have brought back the classic Warped-Tour-styled riffs, drums, and vocals & lyrics. Opening the record with “Shaking Up The Scenery” was an excellent decision. The opening lyrics and style immediately give a punch of emo rock. The bass is complimentary to the lead guitar in the pre-chorus. Plus, the bass in the bridge highlights the influence of blink-182 musicality in the band’s music.

“Gone So Gone” brings similar, exciting riffs and vocals. The lyrics emphasize how a toxic relationship feels: “Tell me how I f*ck up every time / tell me how everything I do is never right / I don’t wanna be the one to change your mind.”

Placing “Blood Jam” a few tracks after continues a story of falling in love and facing heartbreak. “I tried so hard to be alone / I tried then you came along.” The rhythm on this track, just like the others, offers headbanging, jumping-up-and-down feels while screaming emotional, relatable lyrics. Closing the album with “Human” completes the story and musicality of the record. It starts off a bit softer than their other songs but builds up to a rocking chorus that encompasses all the sounds of Bearings in this record. “I know that I have tried but failed a thousand times / I know I don’t seem emotional but I talked to you some nights / Just know that I try hard, must be hard to keep it all inside.” The song ends with the chorus lyrics fading out softly: a satisfying end to an emo record.