New Album Release: Heal by University Drive
“Do you want to heal?” A question repetitively posed in “Forever” the first song on University’s Drive’s new album released on August 19, 2002. The album, Heal, is a follow-up to their 2019 release, Clear, and further delves into life after loss and the disparate feelings and thoughts that accompany it.
The album is brimming with riff-heavy, melodic compositions juxtaposed against heartfelt, contemplative lyrics clearly derived from the personal experiences of lead singer and composer, Ed Cuozzo. It’s what I’ve come to know and expect of University Drive albums and it provides an ample supply of songs that harken back to the early 00’s Jimmy Eat World or Brand New.
“Ending” the second track on the album (which also happens to be the theme song for the Rock In:flux podcast intro) delivers a gut-punch the listener might not be expecting after hearing the steady march of “Forever.” The dark, bass heavy intro leads into a guiater-driven track lamenting “these drinks went to my head, we feel the shame and we are the same, you said.”
The album continues with etheral, more melodic tracks like “Residual Self Image” mixed with rhythmically driven pieces like “Heaven’s Call Back.” The former questioning the possibility to return to your former life before an earth-shattering change and the latter lamenting despair that can come with loss.
It’s clear (no pun intended) that University Drive has put forth massive effort into this release - pouring their consciousness into a piece of art meant for the consumption (and ultimately maybe the comfort) of others.
Songs to check out:
”Ending”