REVIEW: A Look Into With Confidence’s Self-Titled Era
Photo by Brandon Lung
Australian rock quartet, With Confidence, have been making waves in the pop punk scene for a few years now under Hopeless Records. Earlier this year, the group announced that their third album will be self-titled (similar to how Paramore made their fourth album self-titled.) If it’s not for a major debut, then it likely means it’s significant; that this particular project under their name is an important era in their career. This album was 3 years in the making, with half of that spent in quarantine, so a grand entrance back into the music industry was necessary. Without any further ado, this is: With Confidence.
“What You Make It” is the first track on the record and the last released single. It’s a catchy anthemic rock jam pulling elements from the early-2000’s pop rock era with Teenage Dirtbag guitar progressions & angsty verses. While listing a series of unfortunate circumstantial combinations, the ultimate message of “...life’s what you make it,” hits a little deeper. Track 2, “City,” immediately emanates a softer rock tone and showcases the stylings of guitarist & vocalist Inigo Del Carmen. Faint synth notes decorate each verse as if it’s meant to make light of a hopeless situation found in the lyrics.
Lead vocalist, Jayden Seeley, had mentioned that the unveiling of the third album will feel “like opening a new section of our own amusement park,” (x) and With Confidence certainly takes us on a rollercoaster ride. “Anything” is the third track as well as another one of their summer singles. Another chant-along song that juxtaposes happy, uplifting melodies with opposing, formidable lyrics; a tone in which With Confidence have seemed to have mastered. By track 4, listeners will have to double-check that they’re still listening to the same band. “Baked” coats Seeley & Del Carmen’s vocals in lo-fi distortion allusive to The Strokes style of indie rock. The group also adds their own flairs with a bursting-at-the-seams final chorus and an electrifying guitar solo. Following suit is track 5, “Know You (708).” This one is actually as light & nostalgic as it sounds, as lyrics of reminiscing on fond memories marry an airy melody & revelrous horns at its crescendo. “Cult” is the sixth track and another one of the summer-released singles, but this time features Inigo Del Carmen as the main vocalist again. Del Carmen’s overwhelming frustrations of inner-strife are visceral with every chilling scream in each chorus. He shared that “[the song] touches on the importances of self-care and why you can’t find happiness if you’re always relying on the people around you to make you happy.”(x)
By track 7, we’re introduced to “Paper,” an acoustic campfire ditty that gradually transforms into an aggressive-finger-pointing rock anthem. “Paper” was also purposefully released as a single to incite even more anticipation for the full length. Most notably in the song, though, would be drummer Josh Brozzesi’s drum solo at the bridge. Moving forward to the eighth track, “Big Cat Judgement Day,” that officially kicked off this new era. Debuting all the way back in March, this single was guaranteed to get stuck in your head. This song lends itself as a whimsical outlook on the world’s troubling events, as lead guitarist Scott McLaughlin reflects, “...if all us humans really do get wiped out by the [pandemic], who’d be left? Tigers, probably.” (x) Track 9, “Atlanta,” is all about twinkling chimes and acoustic guitars. This soft rock tune is lyrically framed existentially, as they beg the question, “do you know this is your life?” at the end of each verse while mental dissociation (or “coma” as they refer it to) overrides. Despite the protagonist’s lack of direction, we eventually find ourselves at the closing track: “Lose.” This finale is another slowburn, as the first half consists of acoustic guitar plucks & snare taps while the second half ignites the grungy electric guitars and Del Carmen’s signature screams. “I forgot how to breathe” is the final line and ironically enough feels like a deep exhale by the end.
With Confidence have proved to be their own trailblazers in the pop punk community even more so with this latest release. This album exemplifies their versatility & growth as a group while still maintaining their authentic sound & feelings. And nothing’s more authentic than a self-titled project. And in the meantime, give With Confidence a listen & pray the world opens up soon so America can see these new songs live.
Written by Deirdre Kelly