White Reaper declared themselves The World’s Best American Band on their 2017 sophomore effort, and while it took a few years later to prove their point, that statement is nothing but objective on their fourth studio effort Asking for a Ride. The latest listen from the Louisville five-piece of guitarist and vocalist Tony Esposito, guitarist Hunter Thompson, drummer Nick Wilkerson, bassist Sam Wilkerson, and keyboardist Ryan Hater arrives at a perfect point in the guitar-based alternative resurgence when punk, hardcore, and garage rock are on the way back up and favorable to everything in their strengths. They’ve got the formula down to perfection here, too, especially in regards to feeding into our current climate’s hardcore hunger on its title track and “Funny Farm” and smart punk-pop on “Pink Slip”. But even if it weren’t so, White Reaper has written the most impressive hooks of their career in the slick, retro-fitted power-pop and stadium rock vehicles that make the album a certified banger to cruise fast to. They’re everything a rock band should be this day in age, and for that, they deserve the title of world’s best.

Highlights: “Fog Machine”, “Funny Farm”, “Pink Slip”

White Reaper’s Asking for a Ride will be released January 27th on Elektra Records.

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