ALBUM REVIEW: ‘Unbreakable’ by New Years Day

New Years Day Band Promo. Photo credit: Hristo Shindov

Album release: April 26, 2019 UNBREAKABLE

‘Shut Up’ video premiere: May 1, 2019

Unbreakable Album Artwork

They are without a doubt as they describe themselves; Pop metal, experimental, melodic and heavy.

Their last album, entitled ‘Malevolence’, hit the shelves October 2, 2015. Just barely three and a half years later the difference between that album and ‘Unbreakable’ is like night and day. In an interview with Heavy Metal Music Headquarters Ash Costello, lead vocalist of New Year’s Day stated: “In the past I used to use a lot of metaphors. For example, one of our more popular songs is a song called ‘Malevolence’ and the first line is “So soft, so gentle. This rose is kind and still.” I was just talking about myself, but why couldn’t I just say that? Why did I have to use rose as a metaphor? I got to the point where I was like, “Why am I hiding what I’m trying to say?” And after some soul searching realized it was because I wasn’t letting myself be vulnerable in that. When you’re putting out exactly how you feel and someone hates it, well that hurts a lot more than some poetry. So it was really hard for me, but I really pushed myself. I wanted to really sing literally this time instead of metaphorically.”

In my opinion she accomplished the goal she set out for. This album hits the mark of being direct and literal, allowing them to showcase how multifaceted she is and how they come together as a whole. The first track on ‘Unbreakable’ starts with ‘Come for me’ and ends with ‘I Survived’. My personal favorite on this album is ‘Poltergeist’. This track allows you to hear the pop sounds Ash works into the metal. There is a 14  second chorus between 2:50-3:04. It’s so upbeat and experimental that it fits perfectly. It made me think of ‘Baby Metal’ for a brief moment, however, I wish they would of done more with the pop sounds and structured singing than they allowed themselves. I respect her and other female artists who want to challenge their limits.

In an interview with ‘RockSound’ both Ash Costello and Guitarist Nikki Misery talk about Inspiration from Kehlani & Pantera. Ash mentions how ‘Shut Up’ came about from the influence of ‘Kehlani’ – ‘Crazy.’ “It’s so literal and sassy and powerfully bitchy.”

“When we recorded the song ‘Shut Up’ I knew right then and there, on that day, straight away, what I wanted to do if we were ever to make a music video for it. It came to me immediately. So when the time came and ‘Shut Up’ was chosen for a music video, I was thrilled because it meant that I’d get to make my vision come to life, which was to recreate one of my favorite horror movies of all time, ‘American Psycho'”, states New Years Day frontwoman Ash Costello about the music video.

“Shut Up”, the lead single off of the band’s newest full-length album, Unbreakable, is celebrating five weeks on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart and five weeks on the Active Rock Chart and is currently #21 on both charts.

Ash is akin to a Dominatrix; her multifaceted singing skills are her whip, the melodies are her paddle, and her thought provoking lyrics are her ball gag!

New Years Day is currently touring with Falling In Reverse in support of their most recent release. Following their tour with Falling In Reverse, the band will hit the road for their Unbreakable 2019 Headline tour. They will be joined by special guests Diamante and Savage After Midnight for the U.S. tour.

Band Lineup:
Ash Costello // vocals
Nikki Misery // guitar
Austin Ingerman // guitar
Frankie Sil // bass
James Renshaw // drums

NEW YEARS DAY TOUR DATES
w/Falling In Reverse

May 01 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
May 03 – Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom
May 04 – Worcester, MA – The Palladium
May 05 – New York, NY – The Gramercy Theatre
May 07 – Philadelphia, PA – The TLA
May 08 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
May 09 – Pittsburg, PA – Stage AE
May 10 – Detroit, MI – St. Andrews Hall
May 11 – Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
May 12 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues
May 14 – Denver, CO – The Odgen
May 15 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot
May 17 – Boise, ID – Revolution
May 18 – Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theater
May 19 – Seattle, WA – Showbox Market
May 21 – San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
May 22 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
May 24 – Los Angeles, CA – The Wiltern
May 25 – Pryor, OK – Rocklahoma

Headline Dates
w/Diamante and Savage After Midnight

June 13 – Fresno, CA – Strummers
June 14 – Anaheim, CA – Chain Reaction
June 16 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick
June 17 – Tucson, AZ – Club XS
June 20 – Austin, TX – Empire Garage
June 21 – Dallas, TX – Trees
June 23 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
June 25 – Nashville, TN – Exit/In
June 26 – Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
June 29 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
July 01 – Syracuse, NY – Westcott Theater
July 02 – Lancaster, PA – Chameleon Club
July 04 – Montreal, QC – Café Campus
July 05 – Toronto, ON – The Mod Club
July 06 – Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
July 09 – Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar
July 10 – Grand Rapids, MI – The Stache
July 12 – Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
July 13 – Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theater
July 15 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Café
July 16 – Lawrence, KS – Granada Theatre
July 19 – Colorado Springs, CO – The Black Sheep
August 2 – Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheater

w/Halestorm

November 13 – Paris, France – Pleyel
November 14 – Cologne, Germany – Palladium
November 16 – Munich, Germany – Tonhalle
November 18 – Offenbach, Germany – Capitol
November 19 – Hamburg, Germany – Grobe Freiheit
November 20 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – AFAS Live
November 24 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – The SSE Hydro
November 25 – Nottingham, United Kingdom – Motorpoint arena
November 27 – Cardiff, United Kingdom -Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
November 28 – London, United Kingdom – Alexandra Palace

*festival dates


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About Kim Comer 7 Articles
I love music, movies, sailor moon, photography, but most of all I love animals. Especially my cats & dogs. #adoptdontshop