Obsession (The Driver Era album)

Last updated

Obsession
Obsession-cover-art.png
Physical editions cover [a]
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 11, 2025
Genre
Length30:27
Label TOO
Producer
The Driver Era chronology
Live at the Greek
(2023)
Obsession
(2025)
Singles from Obsession
  1. "You Keep Me Up at Night"
    Released: September 4, 2024
  2. "Don't Walk Away"
    Released: October 23, 2024
  3. "Touch"
    Released: December 17, 2024
  4. "Same Old Story"
    Released: January 28, 2025
  5. "Don't Take the Night"
    Released: February 26, 2025
  6. "Can't Believe She Got Away"
    Released: February 28, 2025
  7. "I'd Rather Die"
    Released: March 28, 2025

Obsession is the fourth studio album by the American music duo the Driver Era, released on April 11, 2025, through TOO Records. The album features a sole guest appearance from Fern. Production was handled by the duo themselves, Rocky and Ross Lynch, alongside Morgan Taylor Reid. It serves as a follow up to their third studio album, Summer Mixtape (2022).

Contents

The album was preceded by the release of seven singles: "You Keep Me Up at Night", "Don't Walk Away", "Touch", "Same Old Story", along with "Don't Take the Night", "Can't Believe She Got Away" and "I'd Rather Die". To promote the release, the duo embarked on their sixth concert tour, Obsession Tour, which started on January 18, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand, and concluded in Los Angeles, United States, on July 18, 2025.

Background

On September 16, 2022, the band released their third studio album, Summer Mixtape , through TOO Records. [1] To promote the new album, the band embarked on a concert tour, Live On Tour '22, which ran for 57 cities across the US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. [2] They then announced they would be playing a sold-out concert at the Greek Theatre, in Los Angeles, on June 11, 2023, as part of their tour. The concert was recorded and released as their first live album, Live at the Greek (2023). [3]

The band released their next single, "Rumors", on October 20, 2023, [4] with its music video arriving a few weeks later. [5] The song was called by Hannah Gadd, of the Red Brick , as a "perfect extension of their quintessential sound" while also displaying another side to the band's artistic world. [6] Then, on February 22, 2024, the duo released the follow-up song "Get Off My Phone", [7] which was also accompanied by an official music video. [8] Teguan Harris of The Indiependent wrote that the single is an "exceptional song about heartbreak and anguish in the digital age and a new perspective on how haunting heartache can be" and that it is a "magnificent catalyst for [the Driver Era's] year in music". [9]

Release and promotion

Honestly, I think that’s a great example of how we approach music, and also just like our lives [...] I interpret obsession as something you’re just thinking about all the time, something you can’t really shake loose.

– Ross Lynch on what does 'Obsession' mean to them,via interview for Clash . [10]

On September 4, 2024, The Driver Era released a new song, "You Keep Me Up at Night", which served as the lead single for the upcoming album. [11] The song was accompanied by a music video, released two weeks later. [12] On October 23, 2024, the band released "Don't Walk Away" as the second single from Obsession. [13] Then, "Touch" was released on December 17, 2024, [14] serving as the third single from the album. [15]

On January 28, 2025, The Driver Era announced their fourth studio album, titled Obsession, [16] which is set to be released on April 11, 2025. [17] Along with the album announcement, the band released "Same Old Story" as the fourth single. [18] The band asked fans, through their social media accounts, to vote which song should be released as the next single. [19] "Don't Take the Night" was released as the fifth single, on February 26, 2025, while "Can't Believe She Got Away" was released two days later. [20] One month later, on March 28, 2025, the Driver Era released the seventh single, and last to be released prior to the album, "I'd Rather Die". [21]

During one of their tour's stop, the band was interviewed for Billboard , when they gave the magazine an exclusive preview of their yet-to-be-released song, "The Weekend". Ross Lynch explained that the song talks about "wanting to connect with someone and be close to someone, but also having a fear of commitment". [22]

Tour

To promote the release, the duo embarked on their sixth concert tour, Obsession Tour, [23] which started on January 18, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand [24] and concluded in Los Angeles, United States, on July 18, 2025. [25] During the course of the tour, the duo performed in Australia, New Zealand, as well as North and South America. [26]

Production and music

The song "Don't Walk Away" was described by Josh Sharpe, from the theater news website BroadwayWorld , [27] as a groovy, upbeat song in which the band lean towards a confessional lyric style. [28] Dom Vigil from Prelude Press described "Touch" as having a "dark, ambient bass that serves as a moody backdrop for Ross’ playful vocals". [29] The single "Same Old Story" was described by Dom Vigil from Prelude Press as having a "bouncy, upbeat offering that gives an early glimpse into the earworms that fans can expect from the upcoming album". He further noticed that the song draws inspiration from 80s tones, with a "mixture of synths and a bright backing guitar". [30]

Josh Sharpe from BroadwayWorld highlighted "immensely danceable groove" from the song "Don't Take the Night", noting its 70s disco inspirations. [20] He also wrote that the band displayed they "deft touch as producers" on the song "Can't Believe She Got Away", which features multiple layers of "subtle sounds that add up to create the crunchy, soulful groove". [20] Writing for Dork , Sam Taylor described the seventh single, "I'd Rather Die", as a "minimalist jazz-influenced" song in which the vocals are layered and supported by piano and drums. [21]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Clash 7/10 [31]
Dork 4/5 [32]

Obsession received generally positive reviews from music critics. Writing for Clash , Rachel Min Leong called the album "fearless and expansive", describing the album as a blend of the band's previous records, Girlfriend (2021), for its confessional lyrics, and Summer Mixtape (2022), for the musical vibe. She highlighted the mix of rock and electro-pop sounds, which created an "introspection that sits between the spaces of adventure and exploration". [31]

Daniela Avila, from People , wrote that Obsession is "worth obsessing over". [33] Dork 's Harry Shaw gave a four out of five review, complimenting the production's precision, which created a cohesive sound. The critic also positively commented on the themes and lyrics, circling around impermanence and transformation, and noted the album as the band's "most assured release to date", leaving a lasting impression to listeners. [32]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Rocky Lynch and Ross Lynch, except "Touch" (written with Ellington Ratliff) and "Everybody's Lover" (written by Rocky Lynch).

Obsession track listing
No.TitleMusicLength
1."You Keep Me Up at Night"
2:18
2."Don't Walk Away"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Ratliff
  • Morgan Taylor Reid
2:32
3."Touch"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Ratliff
2:48
4."Same Old Story"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Ratliff
  • Reid
2:51
5."The Weekend" (featuring Fern)
2:32
6."Nothing Left to Lose"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Garrison Jones
  • Ratliff
3:21
7."Don't Take the Night"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Ratliff
  • Reid
3:49
8."I'd Rather Die"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Ratliff
  • Reid
2:19
9."Can't Believe She Got Away"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Jones
  • Ratliff
2:44
10."Everybody's Lover"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Burton
  • Ratliff
2:52
11."Better"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Jones
  • Ratliff
2:21
Total length:30:27
Digital deluxe track listing
No.TitleMusicLength
12."Over Again"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Jones
  • Ratliff
3:23
13."Tried"
  • Rocky Lynch
  • Ross Lynch
  • Jones
  • Ratliff
3:18
Total length:37:08

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal. [34]

The Driver Era

Additional contributors

Release history

Obsession release history
RegionDateFormat(s)Edition(s)LabelRef.
VariousApril 11, 2025StandardTOO Records [35]
May 23, 2025
  • Digital download
  • streaming
Deluxe [36]

Notes

  1. The digital editions cover feature only the central picture, without the beige border.

References

  1. Siroky, Mary (September 16, 2022). "The Driver Era Break Down New Album Summer Mixtape Track by Track: Exclusive". Consequence . Archived from the original on August 10, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  2. Jacobs, Dana (August 21, 2022). "The Driver Era Bring Endless Summer Vibes on 2022 US Tour". Beyond the Stage. Archived from the original on July 26, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  3. Levine, Nick (February 3, 2024). "The Driver Era: "The goal this year is to release three albums"". Archived from the original on April 14, 2025. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  4. "The Driver Era are back with a brand new single, 'Rumors'". Dork . October 20, 2023. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  5. "The Driver Era have released a video for their recent single 'Rumors'". Dork . November 16, 2023. Archived from the original on April 25, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  6. Gadd, Hannah (November 27, 2023). "Single Review: The Driver Era – Rumors". Red Brick . Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  7. Vigil, Dom (February 22, 2024). "THE DRIVER ERA Kick Off 2024 With New Single, "Get Off My Phone"". Prelude Press. Archived from the original on August 10, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  8. "The Driver Era — "Get Off My Phone"". Wonderland . March 7, 2024. Archived from the original on August 10, 2025. Retrieved July 5, 2025.
  9. Harris, Teguan (March 4, 2024). "Track Review: The Driver Era // Get Off My Phone". The Indiependent. Archived from the original on March 16, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  10. Wandermurem, Isabella (April 14, 2025). "Meet 'Obsession' – Inside The Driver Era's Fiercest Era Yet". Clash . Archived from the original on April 14, 2025. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  11. "The Driver Era have released new single 'You Keep Me Up At Night' ahead of their European tour". Dork . September 4, 2024. Archived from the original on April 14, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  12. "The Driver Era have released a video for their latest single 'You Keep Me Up At Night'". Dork . September 18, 2024. Archived from the original on September 18, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  13. "The Driver Era have released a new track, 'Don't Walk Away'". Dork . October 23, 2024. Archived from the original on April 14, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  14. "The Driver Era Drop New Single 'Touch' Ahead Of The Obsession Tour 2025". Fault Magazine. December 17, 2024. Archived from the original on April 20, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  15. "The Driver Era have released a moody new single, 'Touch'". Dork . December 17, 2024. Archived from the original on December 18, 2024. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  16. Anderson, Abby (January 29, 2025). "THE DRIVER ERA announce new album, 'Obsession,' coming in April". Melodic Magazine. Archived from the original on August 10, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  17. Newton, Felicity (January 28, 2025). "The Driver Era have confirmed their fourth album 'Obsession' and shared new single 'Same Old Story'". Dork . Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  18. Vigil, Dom (January 28, 2025). "THE DRIVER ERA Announce New Album & Share New Single, "Same Old Story"". Prelude Press. Archived from the original on August 11, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  19. Newton, Felicity (February 28, 2025). "The Driver Era have shared two new singles, 'Don't Take the Night' and 'Can't Believe She Got Away'". Dork . Archived from the original on April 5, 2025. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 Sharpe, Josh (February 28, 2025). "THE DRIVER ERA Release Double Singles 'Don't Take The Night' and 'Can't Believe She Got Away'". BroadwayWorld . Archived from the original on April 14, 2025. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  21. 1 2 Taylor, Sam (March 28, 2025). "The Driver Era have dropped their obsessive new single 'I'd Rather Die'". Dork . Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  22. Aniftos, Rania (March 12, 2025). "The Driver Era Previews Breezy New Song 'The Weekend'". Billboard . Archived from the original on April 6, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  23. "Ross & Rocky Lynch Go Global In 2025 With "The Driver Era: Obsession Tour" Including Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre June 2, 2025". 313 Presents . September 30, 2024. Archived from the original on October 12, 2024. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  24. "Alternative rock duo The Driver Era announces their highly anticipated return to Australia & New Zealand for January 2025". Live Nation Entertainment . September 30, 2024. Archived from the original on March 26, 2025. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  25. "The Driver Era Announces New Album 'Obsession' and North American Tour". Fault Magazine. January 28, 2025. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  26. Yates, Jonny (September 30, 2024). "The Driver Era announce 2025 world tour dates and ticket details". PinkNews . Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2025.
  27. Sharpe, Josh (October 23, 2024). "The Driver Era Release Upbeat New Single 'Don't Walk Away'". BroadwayWorld . Archived from the original on April 14, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  28. Vigil, Dom (October 23, 2024). "THE DRIVER ERA Reveal New Single, "Don't Walk Away"". Prelude Press. Archived from the original on August 11, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  29. Vigil, Dom (December 19, 2024). "THE DRIVER ERA Release New Single, "Touch"". Prelude Press. Archived from the original on August 11, 2025. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  30. Vigil, Dom (January 28, 2025). "THE DRIVER ERA Announce New Album & Share New Single, "Same Old Story"". Prelude Press. Archived from the original on August 11, 2025. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  31. 1 2 Min Leong, Rachel (April 9, 2025). "THE DRIVER ERA – Obsession". Clash . Archived from the original on April 9, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  32. 1 2 Shaw, Harry (April 9, 2025). "The Driver Era – Obsession". Dork . Archived from the original on April 9, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  33. Avila, Daniela (April 11, 2025). "Ross Lynch on The Driver Era's New Record, Setting Boundaries and His Renewed Source of Happiness (Exclusive)". People . Archived from the original on April 16, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  34. "Obsession / The Driver Era / Credits". Tidal. April 11, 2025. Archived from the original on August 11, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
  35. Obsession release formats:
  36. Obsession (Deluxe) release formats: