No Bragging Rights will have their new self-titled EP out on December 03rd through Pure Noise Records. A first single by the name of “Breaking Point” has arrived online ahead of that. This outing marks the band’s first new music since 2014 and you can pre-order it here.
“Breaking Point” addresses the topic of intimate partner violence, the band’s vocalist Mike Perez commented:
“Intimate Partner Violence is what is portrayed in the lyrics but the song could have just as easily been a job, a career, a family crisis, or an existential crisis. We have people, things, or situations in our lives that make us feel powerless or dependent. The fear of failure or embarrassment can keep us feeling trapped and helpless. Even when we are knocked to our knees, we do not have to stay there. We can leave an abusive relationship. We can find fulfilling work. We can work to improve whatever difficult situation we find ourselves in.”
The band’s return finds them sporting a slightly altered lineup that runs as follows:
Vocals: Mike Perez
Drums/vocals: Martin Alcedo
Guitar/vocals: Daniel Garrow
Guitar Anthony ‘Tron’ Laur
Newcomer Laur offered:
“Daniel and I would write these songs and give Mike and Martin blanket ideas – like ‘This one is kind of triumphant but has no resolve to it, so I don’t know what that means to you but you should aim your writing towards that’ to help curate the attitude and personality of each song.”
Alcedo added:
“When we were first brainstorming ideas we all agreed we wanted it to sound nostalgic, so people know they’re still listening to No Bragging Rights, but we also wanted to elevate it to the best of our ability. It’s got some of our heaviest stuff, some of our most emotional stuff and some of the most technically challenging stuff, but it’s still classic No Bragging Rights.”
Perez himself also spoke of the nature of his lyrics, having since pursued a career as a social worker following the band’s 2014 hiatus:
“I’m still writing for myself so I can connect, but I do have others in mind as well. I feel like I try to ask questions – not just for myself but questions that other people may have. If I have answers, I try to put them in, but I’m more about asking questions.”
“No Bragging Rights” track listing:
01 – “Strengths Perspective”
02 – “Walking Blind”
03 – “Breaking Point”
04 – “Stages”
05 – “The Weight”
06 – “Regret”
07 – “Unapologetic”
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