Album Review: The Best Part About Being Human by Bearings
Bearings have returned with their third album, The Best Part About Being Human, via Pure Noise Records! It’s an upbeat, high energy pop punk album that deserves to be enjoyed during these final weeks of summer. And there’s more than enough time to learn these songs ahead of The Alive and Loud Tour—a coheadliner of Bearings and Just Friends supported by Young Culture with Sad Park, Save Face, and Odd Sweetheart performing at select dates.
The album starts off with the bouncy track “Scenery,” a song that should feel very familiar since it was the lead single for this release. The band shared the following about their album:
“To me, this record sounds like how I felt when I was in grade 10 listening to blink-182: not too serious, just a good time and able to open up a little circle pit. I think we succeeded in writing songs we can play in a basement or in front of 2,000 people.”
I think “Scenery” sets that tone immediately and offers a fun chorus to angrily fingerpoint and crowdsurf to.
The high energy continues with “Don’t Wanna Forget About It” which is a straight forward bop that sounds like a sonic nod to their stellar 2018 release, Blue in the Dark. The closing line of “don’t forget now” leads into the third track’s catchy riff. “Gone So Gone” is the prototypical pop punk summer jam—comprised of bouncy drum patterns with lead guitar parts that can only be described as delicious ear candy.
“Go Long” begins to slow things down slightly but has this huge-sounding chorus that needs to be played in a stadium ASAP. This track also features some of my favorite lyrics in its opening verse: “Nothing that's easy has ever been instant / Free up your mind, close your eyes, take it slow.” I think it’s a nice reminder to take a breath and stop the constant rat race that we find ourselves caught up in between work, school, and/or life in general.
Next up is “Ocean Dream” which I’m happy to claim as one of my fast favorites from this release. Bearings channels the likes of The Maine with this anthemic neon pop punk track that even incorporates a fantastic saxophone feature. This song feels like it would fit perfectly with a sunset cruise down the highway.
“Howie, You’re A Freak” gets us back into the more classic pop punk vibe with some killer lead guitar and yet another catchy chorus that’s really elevated by Dougie’s vocals and the rhythmic choices he made.
The banger train keeps on rolling with “Slip” (my other fast favorite). The instrumental of this song is very vibe-y but the lyrics read as sad and silently hopeful. I love this juxtaposition of emotions and am excited to see this one live.
“Live Forever Never Die” is an absolute bop! I don’t really have much more to say than that lol. Next up is “I Want To Heal”. This song seems to be about a person desperate for closure from their ex-partner.
The album ends on “Human,” a love letter to living life, friendship, emotional growth, death and love itself. This song is a perfect closer and really bundles up this 10-track effort from the band.
I find this album to be the most focused and cohesive effort from Bearings so far featuring super tight writing, catchy melodies, and tasteful drumming (like for real, shoutout out to Mike). The album is a ton of fun and I wouldn’t be surprised if it makes it into a lot of AOTY lists! Connect with the band here.
Bearings is Ryan Culligan, Mike McKerracher, Dougie Cousins, Collin Hanes, and Ryan Fitz. Photo by Kay Dargen.