With as many digital singles as Xdinary Heroes have released this year, it hasn’t felt like the band has ever gone away. So rather than a comeback, Night Before The End acts as an extension. It also takes the opportunity to showcase a new texture to the band’s sound, slowing its energy for a dramatic rock ballad.
Given DAY6’s massive 2024 resurgence (which seemed to kick off with renewed love for 2017’s You Were Beautiful), I can’t blame Xdinary Heroes for moving down this route. Night Before The End trudges forward with similar melodic angst, cathartic from the very beginning. The gimmicks of their early work are gone, replaced by straightforward, powerful vocals. It’s nice to hear them explore this sound, though I crave an equally emotional set of melodies to really propel the track forward.
Rather than challenge our ear with greater melodic range, Night Before The End keeps its sights right in the middle. Even as the vocals stretch with ever-increasing tension, the notes themselves remain relatively constrained. This limits the song’s ability to truly unpack its emotion. A killer climax might have helped, but Night Before The End‘s unresolved strain might just give it unexpected longevity.
Hooks
7
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
7
RATING
7.5