Beartooth’s latest release, surprise single and hard rock summer anthem, “Riptide,” takes a hard line against the glorification of mental illness. The track is chock-full of hooks, memorable melody lines, and a chorus that’s as catchy as it is heavy. In typical fashion, though, Beartooth is more than earworm hooks and choruses; they offer up some of their most broadly accessible sounds yet on this track with spacey, reverb-washed clean guitar juxtaposed against the distorted, “metal zone-esque” guitar and bass that have defined their sound on previous records. The post-chorus instrumental and a complimentary breakdown are massive high points for this track, sure to electrify crowds when they hit the road later this summer.
Caleb Shomo’s vocal performance on this track is quite strong and his delivery of the chorus’s first line, “I’m done explaining my pain, this is way too much,” is tangibly exasperated; this track explores the reality of mental illness rather than the self-admitted romanticization of it. Shomo showcases equal parts desperation and triumph through the track’s lyrics, culminating just before the song’s monstrous breakdown with the lines, “Don’t wanna die, I guess I gotta let it go.” It appears that Shomo is letting go of the romanticization as well as the excuses that he calls himself out for in the back half of the chorus; what is definite, though, is that Shomo is calling upon himself (and listeners) to show resilience in the face of the riptide.
The instrumentation and production on this track are on par with 2021’s Below, offering a strong middle ground between the record’s leading singles, “Devastation” and “The Past Is Dead.” “Riptide” could represent a new chapter for Beartooth as they double down on hard rock and a brand-new chrome-aqua aesthetic. Fan response, thus far, is extremely positive and it seems like Beartooth is on a continued upswing as they begin their touring season.
