Third Time Luckie Release A Teenage Summer Anthem
- BuzzSlayers
- 17 hours ago
- 6 min read
A thriving new pop-punk single from Third Time Luckie just dropped, and this song is like the epitome of being a teenager and knowing that soon enough, your entire life is about to change.
It's taken from the point of view of a young person who sort of knows that this is the last summer of this kind that they might experience, as when it's over, everyone's going off to do different things.
The track delves into how people can turn into memories, get lost in time. Everyone will go on and do their own thing, but one day they'll look back and remember this really important summer of their lives.
I love this sentiment because it's so important. It's a song that speaks volumes for what it feels like on the inside when you are in that place. When you're young and experiencing things, there are elements about that particular summer that we all look back on.
When I look back on it I can't place exactly which summer it was, but I know I had friends that I don't have anymore. They're out there, but times change. You get older and so do they and so keeping in touch becomes more and more difficult.
This song is about those moments before it all goes down. That little hint of understanding or even fear that everyone's life is going to change after this is lurking beneath the surface of the entire song, and lyrically, it's articulated in such a way that it's completely relatable.
I connected with this whole thing almost immediately.
Is it something that we realize while it's happening? Do we really know that there's a part of our lives that we're letting go of?
I think for me and a lot of people, we knew it was there, but we sort of denied it. We thought to ourselves, "No way, I'll keep in touch, we'll visit, things can stay the same".
I think plenty of us say that to ourselves, but underneath that surface again, we know things are going to be different. I think it's hard to let go of your past in any facet, but this track really nails down that specific summer. That one last hurrah with the understanding of change in the distance getting closer and closer with each day.
"Heartbreak Summer" is like the anthem not just of the summer, but of that particular summer.
Once again, these guys hit an amazing pop-punk sound, thriving, edgy guitars, unreal energy that feels almost like a live performance, and loads of color and catchiness in its overcoat.
The guitar work on this track is outstanding, as is the drumming. The drummer of this band is really someone who understands the mission.
The drums of this track don't just add a drive; they bring the liveliness with them, and I think that the energy they bring on is something the rest of the band pushes off of.
There are some great bridges throughout the track that give you classic pop-punk lead guitar hooks that are maybe three or four notes and give you that classic aesthetic all the way through. This, of course, is happening while the chords ring out underneath it, and the vocals are giving you a kind of Blink-182 deep-toned approach.
The whole thing also has amazing production to it. It's very crisp, but has a fat low end, the bass guitar work is outstanding, and the vocals are very melodically driving.
The chorus is just one massive hook, and it has a great way of bouncing around in your brain long after it has ended.
For me, that connection was made because of how anthemic and impactful the song actually comes through, along with those lyrics being so detailed and a little bit sorrowful but there is the light at the end of the tunnel as well. Don't let go of what you want out of life.
It is really about the fear of getting left behind in a sense.
I really like this because I don't think I've heard a song that focuses on that emotion or feeling when it comes to having that last summer before things change.
What's cool about that is that for kids who are in that position, they might feel a little bit less alone in thinking those kinds of thoughts.
Honestly, it can be a scary thing. Songs like this let us remember that it's okay to be scared and there's still plenty to look forward to.
I don't think anybody really likes change. Especially a huge change like this.
I'm much older, of course. Reaching my 46th year of age, I can still look back and remember those feelings, though.
These guys captured the right aesthetic. They caught the right mood and really nailed the feeling down, but also brought with it a closed-fisted powerhouse of a soundscape that is completely memorable.
It's great to hear a pop-punk single that has so much amazing energy and drive, but also so much vulnerability at the same time.
Do not miss this track.
Once I listened to the single, I knew I wanted to have a sit-down with the band to find out where it actually did come from. I also wanted to know what might be coming up next for them.
So, while you listen to this song, have a read through of our interview with Third Time Luckie below.
Remember where you heard it first.
Where did this song come from and what was it about?
Chris pitched the song in a really complete state, its message of coming to terms with leaving your youth behind was already really clear from the very first draft. Sam added in some tweaks here and there to make that experience personal to us as individual members, which will probably resonate with most people, Carl did what he did best on the drums, added something that we would never think of.
I am hearing a few different styles on this single. Who are some of your biggest musical influences?
We walk a fine line when it comes to pop punk - it’s a great genre, but is very, very American, not that there's anything wrong with that, after all it has inspired us, but we're proud of being British, and keen to add our own take on the genre. We’ve probably brought in a lot of modern-sounding pop punk sounds from the US (Alkaline Trio, Simple Plan, Fall Out Boy) whilst trying to find our very UK-rooted sound in amidst that - lyrical and vocal cues from The Feeling, Scouting For Girls, Franz Ferdinand - are so unmistakably British, that we’re always trying to make sure there’s a little of that touch in anything we’re writing.
Are you performing live right now?
Yes! Mostly around the South Coast, off to London in May, but looking into wider places to play for now.
How did this all start for you as a band?
This is a long story, Chris & Carl have been playing with each other for 20 years, and have such cool stories to tell of where this band has taken them - Sam joined almost on a whim 18 month ago….3TL had been in hiatus for a while, Sam had moved cities and was musically lost, struggling to work out joining a band or releasing his own things. Chris responded to Sam on a fateful night (that’s Chris’s story to tell) but even though it’s been a short time compared to the band’s history, we’ve found a great balance of throwing ideas at the wall and seeing what sticks in the 3TL wheelhouse.
Did you work with a producer on this album, or was this all you?
Our engineer/studio runner/general all round genius James of Third Circle Recordings let us call all the shots, and was brilliant at steering us when we had deadlock, bits we hadn’t considered, things that we couldn't hear after playing the song 100,000 times etc. He really helped us move towards the balance between the punk ‘live band’ feel and the pop ‘production’ feel of modern pop-punk bands. We were also really lucky that the record was mastered in Chicago, inspired by a very well-known producer - more news for another time.
What's next for you? Working on more new releases?
We have a 6-7 song EP in the works, and about 30 other ideas floating around we’re exploring. There will be a new longer release this year - albums might be out of fashion with streaming models, but we’re working towards a full curated release in the near future, whilst we finalise our summer dates.
What kind of advice would you give to other up and coming bands or artists trying to get heard?
Make sure you’re working with other people who match your energy - it’s really hard to do all this alone. Your promo, songs, image, plans etc etc will all get sharper when you’re sharing and working with other people - they will make you rise to the challenge.
What would you say people can expect to hear on this track?
At its heart this is a late-summer anthem - the message of growing up is clearly there, but it doesn’t take away from the pure pop-punk bounce you’ll be jumping along to this summer - oh, and don't be shocked if it becomes your new favorite track!
Before we go, what would you want to express to fans of the music?
Nothing - please just listen, enjoy, support what you love, go to your local shows, support your local bands but more than anything just enjoy the music
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