Written by Daniel Ashwood
I know I am a little late to the party with this review of Nothing More’s latest album release, Carnal, but this has been one of my favorite rock albums in a long time!
Nothing More has been on the music scene for 10+ years now but struggled in the early years to get signed or recognized by any major record labels. It wasn’t until 2014 when they really started to take off with their single “This is the Time”, which hit number 1 on the Mediabase Active Rock charts and number 2 on the Billboard mainstream rock charts.
In 2017 with their very popular album, The Stories We Tell Ourselves, they really started to take off. Led by the very energetic vocalist, Jonny Hawkins, this band recently released their newest album, Carnal, in late June of 2024.
Carnal follows the same style as previous albums with Alan Watts guiding us through the album with motivational-like excerpts and speeches. The first song on the album, “House of Sand”, features Eric Vanlerberghe from the very popular band I Prevail. As soon as I saw that Eric V. was in the song, I knew I was going to love this one. This song really sets the tone of the album, which is an emotional journey. “House of Sand” is essentially an allegory warning you not to build your “house” on sand. You need a strong foundation to build a house. Which this “house” they are referring to could be interpreted as your life, family, soul or morals. Just as the song states, if you build a house on sand, it won’t stand against the storms that inevitably come your way. Build it once, build it right.
Next up is, “If It Doesn’t Hurt”, which is arguably the best song on the album. This song is very catchy and more vocal forward, which isn’t a bad thing. This song can probably resonate with a lot of people as it describes betrayal, presumably by a loved one.
The next track that really stands out to me is “Freefall”. This track might not be the most popular one on the album, but this is my favorite. I agree with another reviewer online stating that this song is more “pop rock” and sounds like it could be in a Hollywood film. Sometimes in this chaotic world, we all feel like we’re in a “Freefall”, reaching out for someone. You’re sure to put this track on repeat all day.
“Blame is on the Drugs”, is the next track up. We all know someone in our lives that drugs have impacted. As the title states, Jonny is seemingly directing this song towards an individual in his life that keeps blaming their issues and failures in life on drugs. I believe a lot of listeners can relate to this song because we all know someone who struggles with addictions and unfortunately tend to blame their bad decisions on their drug use. This is a powerful song with some powerful lyrics that will hit home with some.
Skipping past a few more songs such as “Existential Dread” and “Down the River”, with some of Alan Watts sprinkled through, we get to the power ballad, “Give it Time”. This is another one of my personal favorites on the album. This song sounds like it could be the most “mainstream song” on the album, with no screaming and very catchy lyrics. The song is talking about “time” as an existential force that we cannot overcome. With lyrics saying, “It’ll lift you up then knock ya down” is so true about life in general with lots of ups but also downs. The song goes on to say, “When it hurts the most just give it time”, which although is kind of cliché, its true with most things in life. Just give it time to pass.
The last two songs on the album are “Stuck” and “Run for your Life” with more Alan Watts ending out the album. I do want to briefly talk about “Stuck” which features Sinizter. This song is a true banger. Heavy drums, guitars and of course vocals. I believe this song is talking about how in life sometimes we must do the hard stuff to “make it through” to the easy parts. Hawkins states “This is for the people who can’t break through, I used to feel just like you…Stuck”. He is saying we must fight uphill battles to succeed and get where we want to be. Nothing in life comes easy and we must stay persistent. If you need a new running or lifting song….THIS is it.
Overall, this album is fantastic. It is a perfect balance of hard rock with some more mainstream pop-rock mixes in. I think it should be in the running for album of the year with many publications and should win various awards. Go give it a listen and you decide.
Carnal by Nothing More is now streaming on all popular streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music. Also, check out Nothing More on their socials below and go see them live this year while they’re on tour! Go give them a follow! Also, check back at a later date as I hope to cover one of their concerts later this year!
