No matter what you hear, right now may very well be the best time for rock 'n' roll music. It's not about making a comeback (it never left). Rather, it's about finding a way to reach a disaffected, distrustful, and dislocated generation. BRKN LOVE knows the best way to reach them through soul-shaking riffs, rumbling distortion, and choruses worth screaming your lungs out to. Fronted by Toronto singer and guitarist Justin Benlolo, the band unlock the release the world needs now more than ever. After amassing tens of millions of streams, logging thousands of miles on the road, and receiving acclaim from Guitar World, LoudWire, and more, the group make a statement on their 2022 EP, Vol. 1 [Spinefarm], and more to come.
"At a time when mental health is at the forefront, rock is so important, because it's abrasive, in your face, and blatant about what it stands for and the feeling it evokes," exclaims Justin. "It's a great outlet, since it's loud, heavy, and cathartic. The punk attitude is rising again, and guitar music is coming full circle. There's a generation of angered youth torn apart by all of this shit going on in the last couple of years. If anything, rock has never been so relevant."
Emerging in 2019, BRKN LOVE immediately made an impact upon arrival. LoudWire hailed the band's self-titled full-length offering among, "The 13 Best Debut Albums From Up-and-Coming Acts in 2020." Among many standouts, "River" has been used in over 52k user videos on Tik Tok with over 1 billion views (unprecedented for a new rock act). The group toured alongside everyone from Badflower and Highly Suspect to Big Wreck and Dinosaur Pile-Up. Along the way, they recorded Vol. 1 with producer Anton DeLost [Cleopatrick, Seaway, State Champs]. The music absorbed newfound confidence from the journey thus far.
"I was less self-conscious," admits Justin. "I was a teenager when I wrote the songs on the first album. I'm not as anxiety-ridden or nervous now. I've matured and become an actual adult over the last couple of years. By putting a proper band together, touring, and traveling all over the place, I've really gotten to know myself better. I'm looking at life more objectively. I'm very comfortable with who I am. I've accepted the person I've become. It's so much easier to do everything I want to do, because I don't give a shit what people think about me anymore."
That's instantly apparent in the music. BRKN LOVE set the stage for the project with "Dead Weight," the band's 3rd straight Top 10 single in Canada, and landing on LoudWire's "The Best Rock + Metal Songs of November." On its heels, the single "Like A Drug" instantly intoxicated with its stomping off-kilter riffing and snarling vocals. It ignites a devilishly danceable swing.
"I love rock songs you can dance to," he smiles. "It's a style we hadn't really done before. Lyrically, the track ended up being about a couple of friends who have relationship problems. Let's say a friend wasn't being so faithful to their partner, yet trying to justify staying together. I thought it was interesting for someone to justify their love, while breaking that oath. It's catchy, but the subject matter is serious."
The opening track "Little Black Box" seesaws between strutting guitars and a swaggering refrain as he sings, "Little black box, tell me are you lost."
"I'm all about self-improvement, growth, and bettering yourself," Justin continues. "Those themes account for a lot of the lyrical content. The Black Box concept embodies the whole statement of, 'Let's go back. Let's reassess the whole situation and see what we can do better next time'." We played into this idea, because it makes me think of everything in my life. Black Box represents the new record and who I am as a person."
Meanwhile, a sidewinder riff wraps around finger-snaps and a toe-tapping bassline on "One In The Same." It culminates on a hummable and fiery guitar lead.
"I wanted to write a song about the devil and God inside of you," he reveals. "It addresses the split. It's written from this dual personality like Jekyll and Hyde. At some point, you realize you're the same person. That's what the song is about."
In the end, BRKN LOVE wave the flag for rock like never before.
"When you hear us, I'd love for you to know there's great music out there and get excited about it again," he leaves off. "Young people are still doing this. There's an uprising happening. I hope we're remembered as part of it."
