Some bands progress like the chapters of a book, with each album seamlessly continuing the narrative of the last. However, The Driver Era doesn't adhere to that pattern. With every new release, brothers Ross and Rocky Lynch seem to enter an entirely new realm — and their fourth studio album, ‘Obsession’, may be their most daring exploration yet into the complex, captivating mix of emotion, sound, and storytelling.
Even the title carries significance. ‘Obsession’ is not a light term — it evokes intensity, longing, and a sense of losing control. That essence permeates the album: it's raw, at times unhinged, yet never aimless. There’s a thread of vulnerability present that distinguishes it from their previous work. It’s less refined, more confessional — and intentionally so.
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Reflecting on their journey since ‘Preacher Man’, Ross describes their evolution as “kind of interesting,” mentioning that they’ve experienced distinct sonic phases. “We were really in this punk era,” he recalls to Clash when discussing their earlier work, citing songs like ‘Scared of Heights’ and ‘Welcome to the End of Your Life.’
This was followed by what he refers to as their lover boy phase, highlighted by ‘Girlfriend’, which embraced a more romantic, almost disco-influenced sound. “We went from the club to the basement,” he notes, referring to the more minimal and experimental tones of ‘Summer Mixtape’.
Yet beneath every transition lay an underlying personal current — even if it wasn’t openly communicated. “There was some drama happening in our personal lives, but we just didn’t share it with people,” Rocky confesses.
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This tension between what is revealed and what is kept private seeps into ‘Obsession’. They describe the album as rich in both sonic and emotional layers. “There’s a song on the record called ‘Better’ that focuses on striving to be the best version of ourselves,” Ross explains. “It’s about how a past experience can improve you. Like, if things don’t go as planned, you might actually end up better for it.” Rocky adds a quote he recently encountered that encapsulates this idea: “Pain is weakness leaving the body.”
The creative journey for the album was anything but straightforward. “Some of these songs were already in progress while we were rehearsing for the tour,” Rocky shares. Certain ideas would “marinate for a little” until they felt right. “There are tracks we’ve held onto that we know have potential, but we haven’t pinpointed the final elements yet,” he clarifies. “Then suddenly, they just take on a life of their own.”
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So, what does ‘Obsession’ signify for them? “Honestly, I think that illustrates our approach to music, as well as our lives,” Ross expresses. Rocky elaborates: “It’s interesting how everyone has things they feel drawn to, often without knowing why. Like, I can’t eat goat cheese. No clue why. But with music, we've somehow developed a profound love for it — perhaps it stems from our upbringing.”
Ross adds, “I see obsession as something that occupies your mind constantly, something you can’t easily shake off.”
Although they don’t identify one lyric as the most challenging to write, they acknowledge that some aspects can feel more laborious. “There’s always that moment when you realize you need to express this or add that, and you’d rather just clean your room instead,” Rocky chuckles. However, completing songs is a vulnerable endeavor. “Once you choose to release something, it feels like a farewell,” Ross reflects. “That’s the vulnerable aspect.”
This vulnerability also explains the album’s emotional ups and downs. From darker moments to euphoric highs, ‘Obsession’ flows with the unpredictability of real life. “That wasn’t intentional,” Ross relates. “It’s just how life unfolds.” Rocky concurs: “You experience good days and bad days, morning and night. That duality just naturally occurs.”
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Ultimately, they hope listeners experience something genuine. “I hope someone hears a song and thinks, ‘Damn, that’s what I needed,’” Rocky expresses. “Or even, ‘That’s my favorite album.’”
Regarding touring, they feel grounded and appreciative. “We’ve climbed out of tough times,” Ross reflects. “Now we're performing in larger venues, enjoying some luxuries we didn’t have before, and surrounded by good friends. It feels quite homey. Things are going well, and we’re really eager to play some unreleased songs from the ‘Obsession’ album.”
In many ways, ‘Obsession’ resembles less of a polished product and more of an open journal — unpredictable, honest, and deeply human. It doesn’t provide neat resolutions, but that’s precisely the point. For The Driver Era, this album isn't about closing things off neatly. It's about engaging with the chaos, allowing emotions to unfold, and
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Certain bands progress like chapters in a book, with each album seamlessly continuing from the previous one. However, The Driver Era takes a different approach. With