NEEDTOBREATHE ‘Forever On Your Side EP’

Written by: Lori Lebel (7/10/18)

After their 6th studio album – the meticulous, critically acclaimed H A R D L O V E – NEEDTOBREATHE, the four-piece band from South Carolina wanted to break away and do something a little more spontaneous and rough around the edges.  Spending ten days locked in a studio full of vintage gear and recording on analog under the direction of Niles City Sound in Fort Worth, Texas, they came away with a 4-song EP Forever On Your Side that intertwines a little classic NEEDTOBREATHE sound with a new flare.

“Bridges Burn”, the catchy first title on the EP, carries in the style of Kings of Leon, and talks about the regrets we have and how we can move on past them.  “Darling”, an acoustic-sounding, earnest song about what it is like to be out on the road away from loved ones back home.  Originally not intended to be recorded, this song was realized by each band member that it spoke to them individually, and they agreed to add it.  Following is “Bullets”, a funky-bluesy tune with John Mayer-reminiscent guitars, boasts of a fantastic breakdown two-thirds of the way through.  Wrapping up the EP is the title song, “Forever On Your Side”, a more upbeat country-pop duet with background vocals by Johnnyswim, the husband and wife group joining the tour.

Overall the album is a great teaser that will hold fans over until a full-length album comes out.  The songs will be fun additions to the tour shows, and tunes like “Bridges Burn” and “Bullets” will most likely be fan favorites.  If NEEDTOBREATHE continues to move in the direction this EP is pointing them in, we are all in for a treat.

4/5