The Jaws of Life is the fifth studio album by American rock band Pierce the Veil, released on February 10, 2023.[3] This is the band's first album not to feature drummer Mike Fuentes, with Brad Hargreaves of Third Eye Blind filling in.[4] The band parted ways with Fuentes in 2017, following allegations of sexual misconduct.[5] It is their first album to have a title track. The first single, "Pass the Nirvana", was released on September 1, 2022, marking the first piece of new material from the band since their 2016 album Misadventures. The album was announced November 11, 2022, along with the release of a second single, "Emergency Contact". The third single, "Even When I'm Not with You", was released January 12, 2023. The album received mostly positive reviews from critics.
Background and recording
In 2016, Pierce the Veil released their fourth album Misadventures, to critical acclaim.[6] The band toured in support of the album from June 2016 until May 2017. In November 2017, two women came forward on Twitter detailing allegations of sexual misconduct against drummer Mike Fuentes, including statutory rape and solicitation of nude photos of a minor.[7] Following these allegations, the band announced that Fuentes would be stepping back from the band indefinitely.[8] In April 2020, the band shared an at-home performance of their song "Hold On Till May" to their YouTube channel, featuring Mike Fuentes alongside the other members of the band.[9] This led to some controversy on social media, as well as confusion as to whether Fuentes had been reinstated as a band member.[10] Vocalist and guitarist Vic Fuentes later clarified that Mike Fuentes had not been part of the band since 2017, and that he would not be featured on their next album.[11]
The band began working on The Jaws of Life as early as 2018, with Vic Fuentes teasing new material on social media.[12] Fuentes spent a brief period living with MxPx vocalist and bassist Mike Herrera during the production of the album. Parts of the record, including single "Emergency Contact", were written in Herrera's home studio in Seattle.[3] The record was produced by Mutemath frontman Paul Meany and mixed by Adam Hawkins.[3]
Composition
The album features collaborations with Brad Hargreaves of Third Eye Blind and Chloe Moriondo.[13] The album has been said to have a more "melodic and intimate" sound than records, while also taking influence from grunge bands of the '90s.[3][14][15] Isabella Le of Atwood described the Jaws of Life as pulling from "'90s nu-metal, grunge, and contemporary alt-pop."[16]
On the album title, vocalist Vic Fuentes noted, "In short, it's just about how life can try and sink its teeth into you and devour you and trying to find your way out of that. I think this album represents getting out of that grip and seeing the light again and breaking through."[13]
