Rain City Drive Bring Their Absolute Best With ‘Things Are Different Now’

Florida natives Rain City Drive have returned with their third full-length album, with ‘Things Are Different Now’. This marks their first full release since 2022’s Self-Titled record. This record dives into endless melodies and them showing the scene what’s up when it comes to making hit songs back to back. They take everything that people enjoy about them already and multiply it enough to make this their best release to date. 

The record opens with “Lose My Composure”, and we get the tone of what this album’s gonna bring right off the bat. Straight up alternative hard-rock vibes with pop elements all over, can’t go wrong with a formula like that. Vocalist Matt McAndrew‘s voice shines immediately and it certainly won’t be the last time on here. It’s such a solid way to kick off this record, and I really think the synth elements here really add to how much I enjoy this track. We’re followed up with one of my favorites from the record, with “Wish You the Best”. It’s catchy from the moment it starts and doesn’t stop for the entirety of the song, with a banger chorus and nostalgic feeling the melodies bring to this one. It reminds me of some of the bands in the scene I grew up listening to, but dialed the fuck in. It’s so bouncy and I wouldn’t be surprised if fans gravitate toward this one being a standout on the record. The melodies are doing overtime at making this one essential for repeat listens. The acoustic part at the end keeps that nostalgic element intact as well. It’s followed up with the fifth single from the record, with “Concrete Closure”. The pop rock vibes are fully in effect on this one, and I’m so here for it. It’s got that feeling mixed with some of the radio rock I grew up listening to and it’s so infectious. It’s got another huge chorus, and shoutout to them for showing how it’s done when making a song catchy to it’s full potential. The lyrics feel pretty relatable too, as they dive into revisiting a relationship over and over again. 

We then jump to the second single and easily one of the best songs of the year, with “Medicate Me”. This song alone showed me this band has got the stuff, and they’re here to stay. The chorus is absolutely bumpin’ and I can’t get enough of this track. Rory Rodriguez of Dayseeker provides an excellent feature that fits the vibe and mood of the song so well. There’s so much aura here that I feel like this would be the textbook definition of baddiecore. This definitely deserved a full on music video with the whole production for it, it would’ve gone crazy. The little breakdown at the end is a nice touch too, and sure to be one of their bigger songs. We then follow up with the fourth single from the record, with “Over Me”. It’s immediately got that pop vibe to it when it comes to the melodies, as it’s followed with a great riff from guitarist Weston Richmond. This song made me realize that Matt could’ve easily been a huge pop star in another life, he brings so much to these songs and he’s really in his bag for this record. The little elements like the snaps add so much to the vibe and keep it alive throughout this record. The group vocals at the end are a nice way to end this as well. We’re continued by the first single from the record and one that’s been stuck in my head lately, with “Frozen”. It’s also started off with a very solid riff, and it’s wild how the melodies haven’t let up on this album whatsoever. I can see this being a set staple for them at live shows, since it just calls for it and brings the energy and their vibe really well. That chorus is an earworm alone and I can’t get enough of it. We’re followed up with the third single from the record, with “Neverbloom”. I think this one mixes the somber tones, the energy, and the melodies really well and makes sense why this was a single. The lyrics dive into the thought process behind grieving a loved one and all the things that could’ve been said. The rawness and elegance is Matt‘s voice as he singing these lyrics comes across very beautifully. 

The pop rock vibes return, but with some absolute riffs on “Aware”. The bass shines here pretty nicely from bassist Colin Vieira. This song out of all of them really remind me of The Home Team, especially during the verses. It’s so funky and melodically wonderful, like they just stay writing hits. This definitely makes for another one of my favorites on the record. We continue on with more energy in “Disarm the Hourglass”. The pop elements shine like a diamond here, with a fun chorus and the synths are killing it on here. This gives me such ‘That’s the Spirit’ era Bring Me the Horizon vibes here and it fits really well. Matt does a great job here showing off his vocal range comparatively to the other tracks.  We reach the penultimate track in a slower one with “Elusive Dream”. It gives me such 2000’s vibes with a dash of 80’s elements throughout, which is impressive. Shoutout to Matt‘s delivery of the lyric, “Heaven knows the end is so bittersweet”, during the chorus. His voice is just so commanding on this track, and the delivery feels just right. It’s got a solid solo as well to accompany this ballad of a track. We say farewell to the record with the final track, in “Sacrifice”. The piano at the start feels like a nice touch, and this gives me some Linkin Park vibes on their more rock-focused side. It contains a pretty solid buildup to some chunky guitar during the bridge. It also gives me such Thousand Below vibes with the synth-y parts and the latter half of the song, and it makes a nice end to the album. 

The scene should take notes from Rain City Drive, and their capability to write nonstop hits and melodies on “Things Are Different Now”. This is them at their absolute best, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they only go up from here. Matt McAndrew continues to be one of the most capable and talented frontmen in our scene, and they aimed for the sky with some of the catchiest material I’ve heard all year.