11 September 2026 Neil@RockNews

The Bites – ‘The Bites’ Album review

The Bites ‘The Bites’ album review : Hailing from Los Angeles, The Bites are a high-octane modern rock force who first turned heads with their debut album, Squeeze—which cracked the Top 40 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. Comprising frontman Jordan Tyler, guitarist Jono Richer, bassist Zack Currier, and drummer Mark Hylander, the band quickly graduated from local Sunset Strip staples to an internationally touring powerhouse. Rather than leaning purely into retro throwback nostalgia, they blend a foundational love for 1970s and 1980s rock energy with contemporary pop-punk, indie, and alt-rock sensibilities.

Following up an acclaimed debut is never easy, but The Bites’ self-titled sophomore LP is less of a pivot and more of a fearless evolution. If their debut album was about the Squeeze, this follow-up truly enjoys the juice of their efforts. Having spent the intervening months touring across North America, the UK, and beyond, the quartet have dropped the narrow blinders of their early days to embrace a wider, more worldly perspective. While they haven’t lost an ounce of their signature party-ready enthusiasm, this record digs significantly deeper, injecting raw vulnerability, personal honesty, and broader stylistic textures—incorporating blues, pop, and acoustic elements into their swaggering modern rock framework.

The Bites ‘The Bites’ Track Listing & Length

Packed with an unstoppable, lean punch from the first chord to the last, this 11-track thrill ride clocks in at a breathless pace designed to keep the party moving and the adrenaline pumping:

Whenever You’re Ready (3:16)
Hold On (2:58)
Lips (3:30)
Dancing with the Devil (3:09)
Pretty Pistol (3:03)
Aftertaste (3:21)
Shake Your Thing (2:57)
Carry You Home (3:11)
Playing the Fool (3:09)
Waiting (3:52)
Tattoo? (5:24)

The Bites ‘The Bites’ Album Availability & Formats

For collectors and physical music diehards, Earache Records has pulled out all the stops. The self-titled album is available in an absolute mountain of physical editions, spanning a massive variety of colored vinyl variants, CD formats, cassette tapes, and exclusive merch bundle options directly via the official Earache store and independent stockists.

Track-by-Track Deep Dive

Whenever You’re Ready: Opening the record with an instant surge of adrenaline, this track acts as a statement of intent. It throws open the doors and invites the listener straight back into the fold with a brilliant display of modern hooks.
Hold On: A textbook study in pacing that balances heavy rhythmic drive with infectious melodic phrasing. It showcases the tight interplay between Currier’s basslines and Hylander’s powerhouse percussion.
Lips: Oozing with sleazy, groove-laden charm, this cut leans heavily into the band’s trademark swagger. It’s a playful, high-energy anthem tailor-made for sweaty club floors.
Dancing with the Devil: Swapping pure party vibes for a touch of dramatic tension, this song builds an intoxicating atmosphere. The guitar work here cuts with razor-sharp precision, elevating the narrative urgency.
Pretty Pistol: A fiery, hard-hitting explosion of attitude that keeps the mid-album momentum locked at a fever pitch. Tyler’s vocal delivery hits with raw, charismatic bite.
Aftertaste: The standout lead single that anchors the album’s thematic shift. It’s a top-tier modern rock anthem that flips the thrill of the chase upside down with massive hooks and arena-ready chorus structures.
Shake Your Thing: True to its title, this track brings back the unadulterated fun while showing off their expanded sonic palette. It fuses classic groove elements with a fresh, youthful bounce.
Carry You Home: Bringing a distinct emotional resonance to the tracklist, this song highlights the band’s newfound vulnerability. It proves they can handle deeper lyrical weight without losing their melodic core.
Playing the Fool: Lyrically sharp and musically dynamic, this track explores the messy side of relationships with a knowing wink. The arrangement keeps listeners on their toes with unexpected dynamic shifts.
Waiting: A taut, tension-building cut that highlights the sophisticated production touch of Keith Armstrong. It captures the restless energy of a band eager to conquer the global stage.
Tattoo? Clocking in as the longest track on the record, this closer serves as an epic finale. It stretches the boundaries of their comfort zone, leaving a lasting impression that resonates long after the final chord fades.

Rock News Verdict: The Bites ‘The Bites’ Album review 10/10

The Bites have completely smashed the sophomore hurdle by delivering an absolute blast of a record that radiates an unstoppable, feel-good factor from start to finish. Brimming with an infectious energy that makes every single track a winner, this album captures a band operating at the absolute peak of their powers. Backed by a staggering array of physical vinyl variants for collectors to hunt down, The Bites isn’t just a brilliant studio release—it’s an irresistible live-wire experience that leaves you counting down the days until you can see them tear it up on stage again. Essential listening.