Los Angeles post-hardcore torchbearer letlive.’s 4th album… Often described as a more emotional descendent of Rage Against the Machine, the band supercharges its stance on injustice/inequality in If I’m the Devil: “Our music is very left-leaning. It’s very clear I have a large dismay for the way a lot of systems are working and our society’s incapability to unravel,” states Jason Butler. The message is loud and clear throughout the album, and the lead single, “Good Mourning, America” is the strongest example of the socially & politically conscious song-writing, followed by songs like “Reluctantly Dead” and “Another Offensive Song.” Musically, If I’m… is unmistakably a letlive., as plenty of aggression and punk rock anchor the record. There are more melodies and catchy hooks however, and the group peppers in new wave and dark hip-hop/soul elements (“Copper Colored Quiet,” “Who You Are Not,” “Nü Romantics”), which renders the 4th effort some of the most accessible work from letlive. This is the indie-exclusive clear vinyl version of the record, download code and poster included.

• indie exclusive colored vinyl pressing
• digital download and poster included
• music label: Epitaph 2016

reviewed by donut savage 06/2016