Known for their genre-blending sound and energetic performances, country-rock duo Lakeview release their self-titled debut album today (September 13th).
The duo, comprised of Jesse Denaro and Luke Healy, have collectively earned over 30 million streams and have built a dedicated fanbase through their relentless touring and diverse musical influences. Their debut album features 18 tracks, all co-written by Denaro and Healy, showcasing the duo’s unique blend of country, rock, and metal-core roots.
Denaro expressed the significance of the album, stating, “This album has been a long time in the making. It represents who we are as artists and as individuals. This project is Lakeview, and we put everything we had into making this.” Healy adds, “We couldn’t have done this without the support of the Home Team. Thank you for sticking with us, buying tickets, streaming our singles, and picking up merch on the road. Your support means the world to us.”
The album opens with the breakout anthem ‘Hometeam,' a rousing tribute to hard work and inclusivity. With massive rock guitars, gang vocals, and a ripping guitar solo reminiscent of Metallica, this track cements Lakeview’s place in the space between rock, metal, and country, much like contemporary artist HARDY. It’s a bold opener that captures the spirit of the album—big, loud, and meant to be shared with a crowd.
‘Dying Breed' follows, bringing Creed-like guitars and blue-collar nostalgia to life. The catchy chorus and southern rock vibes make this track an ode to solid values and old-school perseverance, appealing to the “outsiders” Lakeview has long embraced. This theme of resilience continues in ‘Wrong Side of the Track' a bombastic, emotionally charged track that mixes HARDY’s grit with Jelly Roll’s swagger and a touch of My Chemical Romance’s melodrama. The clever wordplay and booming guitars make this track an absolute standout.
‘See Me in a Suit' channels 90s and early 2000s rock with a chorus that explodes in Green Day fashion, while the southern drawl and Kid Rock-like cadence keep it grounded in country. It’s another anthem about staying true to your roots, a recurring message throughout the album.
On the darker side, ‘What I Know Now' delivers atmospheric, regret-filled rock with a heavier edge. It’s a brooding tale of heartache and hindsight, with vocals and guitars that hit like a Jason Aldean track on steroids jamming with Brantley Gilbert. In contrast, ‘Son of A' oozes southern swagger and self-confidence, blending funky country-rock with sharp, sardonic humour. The bravado-filled chorus—“I’m a red, white, and blue-collar loving son of a bitch!”—is one of the album’s catchiest moments.
For a lighter, fun-filled break, ‘Bad Day to be a Beer' offers a radio-ready drinking anthem with guitars that nod to Papa Roach and Alien Ant Farm. It’s the perfect feel-good track to crack open a cold one to. Meanwhile, ‘I Don’t Call' strips things back with a quieter, more reflective tone, focusing on the complexities of relationships and parental expectations, offering a heartfelt look at the challenges of adulthood.
The album’s middle section, including ‘By Now' and ‘Here Lies a Girl' delves deeper into emotional territory, exploring heartbreak, regret, and the toxic relationships left behind. ‘Here Lies a Girl' stands out with its clever wordplay and powerful chorus, making it one of the album’s most memorable songs.
Lakeview cranks up the volume again with ‘Money Where Your Mouth Is,' a heavy-hitting track with screamo elements courtesy of guest artist Gideon. This track doesn’t hold back, delivering a ferocious challenge to anyone talking big without backing it up. The intensity carries into ‘Say It First,' a song about a relationship on the brink of collapse, with bombastic guitars and vocals that mirror the emotional weight of the situation.
‘Neon Nightmare' is another album highlight, blurring the lines between country and rock with a commercial-ready chorus about a girl playing the scene in a bar. Its genre-blurring, sing-along vibes make it an instant favourite whilst the reflective ‘Drunk Prayer' offers a quieter moment, with poignant lyrics about faith, struggle, and the weight of mid-twenties life.
Elsewhere, other tracks like ‘Before I Die' and ‘Rock Bottom' hit home right where they are intended to. Both songs feature aspirational lyrics, muscle-filled choruses, and a rock-infused edge that capture the essence of Lakeview’s journey. ‘Rock Bottom,' in particular, is a fitting poster child for the Lakeview ethos — an anthem about staying true to your roots and finding the strength to keep pushing forward, echoing Lakeview's apparent mission statement of positivity and resilience that runs through the whole of this album like lettering through a stick of rock.
Lakeview’s debut album is a bold, eclectic blend of country, rock, and metal that feels both fresh and familiar. With its powerful anthems, emotional depth, and genre-bending sound, it’s a statement piece that solidifies Lakeview as a force to be reckoned with in the country-rock landscape.
Tracklist: 1. Home Team 2. Dying Breed 3. Wrong Side of the Track 4. See Me in a Suit 5. What I Know Now 6. Son of A 7. Bad Day to be a Beer 8. Rock Bottom 9. I Don't Call 10. By Now 11. Here Lies a Girl 12. Long Time Listener 13. Money Where Your Mouth Is 14. W.H.Y. 15. Say it First 16. Neon Nightmare 17. Drunk Prayer 18. Before I Die Release Date: September 13th Record Label: Gravel Road Buy ‘Lakeview' right here.
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