Why The Driver Era’s Obsession Is So Captivating
While The Driver Era has been fascinating fans around the world since 2018 and even before that, their newest album combines sensational production with emotional lyrics in an innovative way.
After forming The Driver Era out of their original R5 group, Ross and Rocky Lynch debuted their new single Preacher Man. This was a thrilling surprise for fans, some of whom had been following the brothers’ careers since Disney Channel and pop music covers. Their debut album, X, was released in June 2019. With their album Girlfriend released in 2021, and Summer Mixtape released in 2022, they’ve spent three years crafting their latest fourth record.
Obsession contains 11 exciting tracks, with each one showcasing a creative style and unique feeling that it evokes. The opening track, You Keep Me Up at Night, was the lead single released in September 2024. Its use of an electronic beat mixed with catchy, repetitive lyrics makes it the perfect tune to set the mood for the album – “You keep me up at night / … It’s like I’m hypnotised.”
Next on the album is Don’t Walk Away, the second single that was released. This song slows down the energy, as a passionate love tune with deeper lyrics about longing for someone to stay – “If this is our chance, we should take it slow / I love it here, I’m never going home.” Touch, the third track (and third single that The Driver Era shared with fans), features a repetitive beat matching the sharp vocals of the song. While its sultry lyrics are smooth like silk, its production is rougher in an intriguing contrast – “So soft, taste like cherry / Come closer, let’s get havoc / Got some moves I could use / If you choose, if you want to.”
Same Old Story elicits déjà vu in fans listening, with its dynamic beat and repetitive chorus – “It’s the same old story / We’re dancing in the dark, you’re all up on me / Ah, I always see you at this party.” After this was the first new song of the album not previously released as a single: The Weekend. This track also features another artist, Fern, to help spotlight the feeling of not having projections for a relationship and loving freely – “But if I’m being honest, I can’t make you any promises / Of forever and ever, and I’m not saying never / Let’s just see what happens.”
The sixth track, Nothing Left, was also a brand new song on Obsession. It’s the kind of song you’d expect to hear while relaxing with a lover in the rain, giving rise to a chill aesthetic focusing on how tight a relationship can be – “Nothing left to lose / Nothing left but you.” Following this tune was Don’t Take The Night, which was the fifth single that The Driver Era released in February 2025. Bringing about a sense of living in the moment with someone, this track’s production even sounds like twinkling stars in the night – “Now that the sunlight’s fallen / Our time to celebrate / We’ve waited for this moment / Don’t take the night away.”
As the last single shared before the release of Obsession, I’d Rather Die helps to convey the overall expectations that fans could make for the album. This song is groovy and snappy, yet sincere and deep – “Baby, can’t you see / That I got everything that I need / But if I can’t have you / I’d rather die.” Nearing the end of the record, Can’t Believe She Got Away uses a muffled approach to match the regretful lyrics and downcast response – “So say what you need to / ‘Cause the truth is better than a lie.”
Everybody’s Lover is gentle with its sound but passionately heartbreaking with the story it tells of not being someone’s exclusive romantic interest – “You’re so convincing when you say that we’re each other’s / But you’re everybody’s lover, babe.” Closing out Obsession is the track called Better, a track featuring a lot of repetition and onomatopoeia. This song focuses on the process of healing and moving on in the world, even if it feels like it’s just someone trying to convince themselves that they are doing better – “Got the keys to the world, what’s a lock? / How we do when we roll and we rock.” The Driver Era concludes Obsession with a song that shares hope with the listeners for a greater future.
While Obsession may feel like a rollercoaster of emotions and passion, it’s crystal clear that anyone can relate to at least one song on the record. The Driver Era brings out their most exciting new musical styles, with each track sounding different and contributing to the specific lyrics being sung.
If you’ve become obsessed with any of The Driver Era’s new music, be sure to catch them on the Obsession Tour, which began on 18 January 2025 in Auckland, NZ and will end on 18 July 2025 in Los Angeles, US. This band’s growth collectively and individually over time from their various musical and entertainment endeavors makes this their most impressive album so far, and is sure to lead to even more charming music in the future.
