Broken Robots’ new release, The Great American Struggle, comes out September 12. On this, the band’s fourth release, a new level of maturity in songwriting and musicianship emerges, showing how much the band is growing. The songs have deep meaning, tackling the struggles and triumphs of life. Each track can stand alone as a complete work, and each one is a gem.
The band starts off with the cool jazz of “Circles.” This pensive, introspective song is infinitely relatable in the mad rush of daily life. The cut is straightforward, telling the tale of struggle and misgivings. Kat Baker’s voice is dreamy yet clear and compelling.
“What You Wanted” continues the theme established in “Circles”: getting by while wearing a positive outlook. The music is joyous; Tony Baker’s sublime guitar work, mixed with bright bell tones, may have inattentive listeners thinking this is uplifting bubblegum—but listen to the words. This is a delightful teaching moment. Kat asks, “Is this really what you wanted?” The bitter pill is wrapped in a little sugar. Definitely a deeply crafted piece of writing genius.
We are all reminded to keep on keeping on in another light yet deep cut, “Mad But Nice.” The entire release feels fresh and detailed. Guitar, bass, and drums are locked on every tune. Little flashes and noodles you might miss on the first ten listens come out as you peel back the layers of complexity. It is very obvious that Tony is a sound engineer, as he grabs our attention with these teasers in songs like “Sweet Escape.” The inclusion of short sonic satellites orbiting the central core melody keeps our cerebellum hopping. The words and music mix together to form an alternate aural galaxy.
This swirling effect continues as “Bad Side” gives the instrumental side a workout. At the front end are those Tony Baker riffs Broken Robots’ fans have come to love, mixed with the amazing Elix Smith on bass. This cut includes brass, which frames the instrumental interlude perfectly. This display of musical mastery continues with “Going Places,” as the band showcases their funky side. Tight riffs combine with rock-steady rhythm thanks to Anthony Friedli, the band’s seminal drummer.
Ari Augustaitis, the band’s newest member, plays piano on my personal favorite cut, “The Needle, the Thread, and the Hospital Bed.” This psychedelic trip set to music is fantastic. A catchy tune with wild lyrics transports us to the event horizon, where we let go and go with the flow. Music for every moment is provided by our friends, Broken Robots, on this track. It is Ari’s first contribution to the band as he takes his place permanently.
The tempo slows for “Again and Again,” an ephemeral ballad brought to life by Kat’s siren-like voice. The guitar work is again perfectly blended with the rhythm section, making the song a delight to listen to on repeat.
“Over and Over” springs to life with an uptempo lead that heads to an astral, funky center that inspires movement. This will be the song to dance to on a hot summer night under bright stars. The song calls out for an extended jam when played live.
We arrive at the final track, “Potential,” which feels autobiographical, following the band’s story—unapologetically happy with what they have. The release is a complete thought in ten tracks: keep your head up, your heart steady, and keep on.
Be sure to look for the upcoming release, listen on streaming services, and get out to a show.
