THE DRIVER ERA: FINDING OBSESSION

APRIL 2025

Photographs by Vasili Papathanasopoulos.

Styling by Victoria Knowles.

For Rocky and Ross Lynch, The Driver Era is more than a family affair. Launching in 2018, following the disbandment of their previous musical project R5, the brothers pivoted away from the pop-based world of their previous band and instead veered into a genre-bending alt-rock realm. It was clear The Driver Era would take a more mature approach to their art form, that closer aligns with the brothers’ own tastes. The following year they released their debut full-length album X, followed up by 2021’s Girlfriend. The latter saw them tour the world over and debuted on the UK Independent Album Breakers Chart, marking the bands first ever chart entry.

Having first met The Driver Era in September 2022, off the back of the release of their third studio album, Summer Mixtape, the duo were back in Australia earlier this year for the launch of their Obsession world tour. Playing their biggest shows yet, we sat down backstage at Sydney’s Hordern Pavillion to bridge the gap over the past two years, and the imminent release of their fourth record, Obsession.

Rocky and Ross wear Hermes. Jewellery, artists own.

In the twenty eight months since our last meeting, the brothers have been refining their craft and striving towards daily improvement to refine their musicianship. “Even today I woke up and I'm like, alright, what can I improve?” says Rocky. “So with the music, and writing music and producing music, it really is always an ongoing what's next? This ain't right. Let's get that going.” Ross adds, “It's a representation of like how life works too. I think you're always wanting to be better.” These sentiments are further echoed in the albums closing track, Better. The song serves as a dedication to constantly growing and learning, in an effort to be the best version of yourself, and perfectly captures the sonic scope of Obsession.

For the brothers, having spent the better part of their lives in the spotlight means arriving at a place that feels more authentic and open. “Coming from the past that we've come from, and we've been on tour for like fifteen years [laughs], and we've been in attention for a long time - there’s definitely certain repercussions of that experience,” Ross shares. “Whereas some artists, you know, they get to develop their stance and thoughts and stuff before people are really paying attention… I think now we're getting to a point where we're more courageously willing to be honest about what we're experiencing, what we think, how we're feeling and contributing to culture in a more honest way.” That honestly is embedded within Obsession, which finds The Driver Era at their most mature stage yet. Relatable lyricism unfurls throughout the record, capturing the essence of living life in your twenties whilst themes of love, lust and loss fuel the records lyricism.

Rocky and Ross wear Hermes. Sneakers, ASICS. Jewellery, artists own.

At it’s core, Obsession is a documentation of desire and habits in varying forms; both good and bad. “It's about searching for love and sometimes going down the wrong path and figuring out how to make it positive, all the while doing our best. I think people do their best to enjoy their lives and to make memories, but sometimes it can go astray,” says Ross. When crafting the record, the duo began pulling songs from their recorded files and placing them within a folder titled “obsessed,” which they say “was the truth of the situation.” The album opens with You Keep Me Up At Night, where thematically desires for another individual are met, Don’t Walk Away, documents a thrilling romance, whilst the moodier Touch takes a more confident and lustful turn. Same Old Story, was one of the last songs recorded for the album in November last year, which Ross says, “is inspired by a recent situation.” The upbeat track was born from feeling disparaged by the repetitive nature of certain situations. “In this case it was like kind of feeling annoyed about some things that me and Rocky have been wanting to fix in our lives. But then it took a turn when we were writing it, and it became more about a romance,” Ross adds. Rocky believes that Same Old Story, like many of their songs, hold multiple meanings. Whilst at base level it may appear as a love song, Rocky concludes “I feel like a lot of our songs, even if it almost could end up being like a little more romantic, it still always has this undertone of philosophy. It's like you're saying it's like things that are looping and you're in the same shit again and it's like, 'the fuck?' Sometimes you get trapped there. People are trapped in their own ways.” Ross adds, “And sometimes too, it can be something that you wish to repeat. It could be like, this is great. I wish I could live this over and over again.” Whilst Ross had been speaking, Rocky pondered a new meaning for the song, inspired by the initials of its title; ‘SOS.’ “we haven't really talked about this, but it's funny that it's SOS because it almost could be like, it's like help [he says enthusiastically before laughing] in a way. There's so many narratives that could go into that.”

As the album progresses, we find fleeting love on the bands collaboration with Fern, The Weekend, and Nothing Left To Lose - a downtempo cut that brings the funk. Don’t Take The Night channels Dua Lipa’s Break My Heart and could find its place as a contemporary take on INXS. Meanwhile, I’d Rather Die delves further into the duos examination of habits and vices, echoing the sentiments of Same Old Story. On the album, Rocky muses, “It is a love story, and I guess so many things are. It always revolves around finding love again. Maybe that is with your partner, or maybe it's yourself. There are times where you're like, 'fuck this music thing.' It's not too often that that's happening. So it always is this like, refining love for something or someone and trying to reacquire that is, I guess, always what life is, is always what's happening.”

Rocky and Ross wear Hermes. Sneakers, ASICS. Jewellery, artists own.

Obsession marks a sonic twist for the brothers, continuing their established alt-rock sound whilst continuing to bring in fresh and zesty elements that propel them forward. I’d Rather Die is heralded by its harmonic jazz-influenced soundscape, whilst Better opens with 80’s synth work, then immediately switching gear into a rock-fuelled soundscape before subtly weaving both threads together. The duo are being more brave and bold with their sound, however their experimentation comes from an organic place within their creative process. “Whenever we're creating, we're just doing it out of a love of exploration,” Ross shares, “We never really have a preconceived concept or sound that we're going for. It's just open-ended. We're literally just making things that we like. Rocky notes that their time working within the industry as teens altered the way they approach creating music as adults. “Going to a lot of different sessions where you just write songs and stuff. There's moments where someone's like, 'let's make a track like this,' and they play the song and the next thing you know, they are doing the same chords and stuff. I think it scarred us as kids.” Across the record, we are met with instantly catchy hooks and roaring riffs. The unity of rock and electronic synth sounds creates an unlikely unity, forged by the brothers commitment to their craft. Rocky tells me they are always striving towards creating art that feels new and fresh for them, never wanting to circle back to old habits. “I literally am again, I woke up this morning, I'm like, 'alright, wow I gotta improve my guitar tones. Let me dive in. So that is at the forefront,” says Rocky. When comparing Obsession to their debut record, it’s clear to trace the evolution of the brothers as both artists and musicians. Ross’ vocals command more attention and showcase more versatility. He effortlessly darts between punchy and sultry performances, altering his vocals to suit the genre that simmers beneath. Rocky pushes the boundaries, undertaking more risks with his guitar work, often leading each songs soundscapes with enigmatic melodies and riffs. Together, the brothers produced the record, maintaining a certain sense of creative control over the albums final output.

Over the past few years, The Driver Era have become known for their gripping live shows. Clips from their performances often go viral on social media platforms. Their concerts are full of high-energy moments, lots of dancing (both on stage and in the crowd) and an honest and endearing connection with their fans surging throughout the room. “Nine times out of ten, it’s really hard to look out in to a crowd of really, really happy people staring back at you and singing your songs to not also participate in some joy,” Ross first told me when we met years ago. After years on the road, the brothers know how to put on a show. Their recent Australian tour was lauded with praise, and served as a forum to test out songs from the album in the lead up to its release. The Driver Era have become masters at building anticipation throughout their live set, crafting a setlist that captures their discography and turns up the heat. Ross himself tells their doting crowd, “sometimes these shows just get hot” whilst removing layers of clothing and sending fans into a frenzy. The duo will pick up where they left off when the Obsession tour hits South America later this month, before visiting North American over the following months.

Rocky and Ross wear Hermes. Jewellery, artists own.

Staying on theme, I end our time together by asking the brothers what their current obsessions are. Rocky responds first, answering “For sure music always has definitely been some kind of like calling. It's easier to see that now as I get older. And then you need to definitely find maybe someone you're obsessed with for sure, at some point in your life. That's a beautiful thing if you have that. So I think it's music. I think it's love. I love philosophy. That's probably my main, like something around there.” Ross agrees with his brother, further adding “I think I'm obsessed with growth primarily, honestly. Kind of like Rocky's saying, whether that be in a relationship or in music or career or personally. Honestly, it's getting to a point now where because I'm pretty good at enjoying myself [laughs], just recently today I'm like, 'I gotta chill out.' I'm also obsessed with enjoyment and going out and dancing and having a few cocktails. You know what I'm saying? So I'm obsessed with the balance of growth and enjoyment [laughs]. But the growth one [obsession] has been overpowering the enjoyment one. So I'm probably going out tonight basically, is what I'm saying. Where are we going?” I think its safe to say that this new record will become an obsession for any fan of The Driver Era.

Obsession is out April 11.