Alright Junior tackles personal hurdles on cathartic new EP Battle Scars

Since their 2016 Inhibition EP, local rock outfit Alright Junior sailed through line up changes and numerous shows on the road. Throughout that time, they held a set of new songs in their back pocket that would become their new EP, Battle Scars.

“But everything happens for a reason, and we are thrilled with how these songs turned out,” bassist Jamie Victor notes in an email interview. “If we had recorded them four years ago they wouldn’t sound the same.”

The sharp record showcases three songs that are full to the brim with multiple themes including remaining hopeful when dealing with personal hurdles like depression and anxiety and the external issues of politics, the environment, and the landscape of society.

Throughout the record, the trio experiments with different tones, switching from a chill rock reflective tune in “Choke the Earth” to the raging, pulsating anthem “Forever Now.” The band brings the volume back down in the sweet and mesmerizing rock ballad “Please Say.”

“The lyrics were written throughout the period of time, but mostly more recent right before we recorded,” singer-guitarist and songwriter Jace Miller shares. “As is most releases, this one was created because something needed to get out of us emotionally. That emotion we hope translates to the listener and can help them on any journey they are having. That’s what my favorite and influential music did for me. It’s therapy. Knowing you’re not alone.”

“While we don’t know when we will be able to perform publicly again, we do hope people will listen to the new EP and hear how the band has progressed since our last release,” says Victor.

Battle Scars is now available on all major streaming platforms; listen below.