Never Give Up, the new album from Partner, is a pure, unabashed love letter to rock music that features the band’s trademark talents for guitar solos and never taking themselves too seriously. They have ventured closer to classic rock and its variety of possible influences than the more 90’s vibes of the 2017 debut and it leads to a more adventurous and diverse style, track by track, while always feeling very in line with who the duo are.
After releasing and extensively touring to promote their debut full-length In Search of Lost Time, Partner say that they found themselves rehearsing and very much uncertain of where to go from here.
“We were practicing for a two-person show, the first one we had played in many years. We were at a crossroads as a band, and we had no idea what the future held. All we knew was that we were going to be making music together.”
With a focus on that certainty – that they were in this together –songs began to form. Some, admittedly, formed easier than others, and throughout the process, Josee and Lucy would have to remind one another to “never give up”. What started as a joke, grew to a rallying cry and has now emerged as a complete and fundamentally fun record that simply begs for the rock opera treatment.
It could be overreaching, but I sincerely think there is a rock opera to be found in here.
The duo literally welcomes their audience on the album opener, “Hello and Welcome”. The track simultaneously serves as a great intro to any new fans and a welcome home to those returning. One could easily picture the tune backing the pair as they get ready to go out to a concert or night on the town.
“Rock Is My Rock” finds the two justifying or explaining why they are so devoted to the power that is rock music and thankfully pledging their desire to still be providing us with jams when they are 50 and 52 years old, respectively.
Their recent single, “Honey” (complete with Wayne’s World-inspired video), could serve as an origin story for the duo and how one sweet-sounding guitar forever changed their lives and provided the duo’s call to adventure.
The lead single “Big Gay Hands” finds them evoking AC/DC as they try to seduce the hottie with the pool skills. It would fit perfectly as the opportunity to introduce either a love interest or temptress that may test our heroes commitment to the cause. “Here I Am World” could serve as the cathartic release of the set as Partner celebrate their victory, complete with a more drumbeat-driven sound and pop sensibilities.
Despite aptly stating that rock is, indeed, their rock, the duo manages to mix in some stylistic shifts that ensure each song stands out, whether that be through the rock influences seemingly featured or through sliding in some other styles to mingle with the boisterous guitar riffs.
“In the Pit” is lead-in by a funky rhythm, “Roller Coast (Life Is One) prominently features piano keys as its foundation, and “Couldn’t Forget” showcases a country-tinged twang of guitars as it juxtaposes the modern things we struggle to recall against what they cannot forget about this certain someone.
If you are looking for a rockin’ good time, this is the place to be. Partner blaze new territory while never giving up on what brought ‘em. Through channelling those who came before them while venturing into new musical waters, they have left that crossroads in tatters, no doubt as numerous explosions erupted while they strut onward to the next adventure.