Rocky and Ross Lynch of The Driver Era talk about their intense and emotionally driven fourth album, 'Obsession,' and the conflicting ideals of perception and self-expression.
Stream: ‘Obsession’ – The Driver Era
Every few years, one can relocate and reinvent oneself. You can acquire a new wardrobe, adopt a different vocabulary, and take up new hobbies without anyone commenting, “Hey, good to see you!” or “Wow, you’ve changed!” While social media might complicate this, you can still reset your persona and hope for the best. However, this is a privilege the Lynch brothers cannot enjoy. Gen-Z definitely recognizes Ross Lynch from his Disney background, while Rocky Lynch is well-known from the pop/rock band R5, where Ross was the lead vocalist. Their latest album, 'Obsession' (now available through TOO Records / Kartel Music Group), reflects a genuine enthusiasm for their craft.
What started as a lighthearted endeavor evolved into an album focused on reassessing external perceptions. The band shares, “It was the truth of the situation – we were genuinely obsessed with creating these songs and spent countless hours infusing them with love. 'Obsession' represents our struggles with searching for love while trying not to succumb to negative habits.”
With its sleek bass lines and ethereal synths, the album presents an intriguing take on yearning. Much of the record plays out as a dialogue, a back-and-forth exchange of desire and affection. Where their 2022 'Summer Mixtape' flirted with exploration, these tracks fully embrace an element of surprise, evident in the Rocky Horror Picture Show-like bridge of "Can’t Believe She Got Away," the Nick Drake-inspired intro of "Don’t Walk Away," and the haunting half-step progression in the chorus of "I’d Rather Die." The songs maintain a minimal and repetitive structure, yet they avoid monotony with cheerful synths, pulsating bass lines, and entrancing background vocals.
The Lynch brothers shine brightest during these daring moments, particularly in the standout track "Don’t Take the Night." Its effortless cool and fleeting synth-pop vibe echo the band's earlier dance tracks, but this combination feels innovative. By merging the old with the new, they create a captivating form of self-expression. 'Obsession' demonstrates that The Driver Era excels when it's unrestrained. Rocky and Ross Lynch aim to move ahead, genuine and resolute with every decision, especially when the stakes are high. In our interview below, The Driver Era reflects on living in the spotlight and their recent release with Atwood Magazine.
It’s so smooth, baby
Got that liquid love
When you’re talking to me
I’m intoxicated
Now that the sunlight’s fallen
Our time to celebrate
We’ve waited for this moment
Don’t take the night away
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:: stream/purchase Obsession here ::
:: connect with The Driver Era here ::
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A DISCUSSION WITH THE DRIVER ERA
Atwood Magazine: You both have been in the music industry for a long time. How do you perceive social media as artists in today's digital landscape?
Ross Lynch: Overall, I believe you can't completely understand someone through a screen. There's always some mystery involved. People are too intricate to be fully grasped through media. The social media aspect is strange because it has become a significant part of the job. At least, that's what many expect. We often get pressured by colleagues and business partners to prioritize our online presence.
Rocky Lynch: Even though R5 had some visibility as a band, we’ve been creating music and trying to do this under a spotlight for most of our lives. There’s a lot of talk about Connor Bedard in hockey right now, with people saying no one realizes the pressure he faces as the 19-year-old savior of the Blackhawks. To some degree, we’ve experienced a similar situation. We create music, but not from a place of anonymity. We are somewhat under scrutiny.
With that in mind, how did you approach this album and this stage of your career?
Ross Lynch: For this album, we didn’t really consider the audience. I think that’s the aim. We were inspired by simply being in the studio and creating music. We wanted to have fun. At some point in the process, you think, “This will likely be well-received.” We were seeking purpose. Given that, I’m trying to minimize my focus on expectations and opinions.
That must be particularly challenging for you.
Ross Lynch: Yes. But then there’s my own truth and my form of expression.
Right. People have kind of put you in a box as the Disney kid.
Ross Lynch: What has really cemented that perception for me is Disney Plus. Now there’s a new generation of kids who will see it, whereas it would have faded otherwise.
Rocky Lynch: I noticed this at a
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Rocky and Ross Lynch from The Driver Era talk about their fourth album 'Obsession' and the frequently conflicting concepts of how one is perceived versus self-expression.