Best Not Broken Carries Nostalgic Energy in Their New Song "I Don't Belong"

Best Not Broken’s indie pop and pop rock tune, “I Don’t Belong,” perfectly captures the nostalgia and angst of feeling like you don’t belong in high school. The song crafts a narrative of a high school student who doesn't quite fit in with any "clique" and wants to be a rock star. The fun whimsical twist of this song is that the students ends up becoming an ordinary guy and realizes that that’s ok.

The warm, sugary sweet, and witty song is unapologetically catchy and nostalgic, both visually and musically. The three members of Best Not Broken appear in the music video as high schoolers in the 90’s, complete with lots of denim, color, Walkmans, wild hair, and animated expressions.

The guitar and drums keep a steady rhythm that create the iconic sound that is something that is entirely alternative. There are clear influences of soft rock while also providing a sound that is comforting to the listener due to the nostalgic nature of the song.

In regards to how the song was created, the lead vocalist and guitarist Eric Jackson says, “This song came together in pieces. It started with ‘Can I Get A,’ followed by ‘I Don't Belong.’ Those phrases inspired a flood of rib-ticking high school memories that needed to be documented!” The rawness and truth of these memories are what create the song’s authentic sound. From the unique lyrics to the layers of instrumentation that are built, the song is a dive into the twisted angst of the past.”

The irony of “I Don’t Belong” lies in the fact that if the subject of the song is happy with how his life turned out as an ordinary guy, it seems like maybe he does belong. This just goes to show how common this feeling is and gives listeners a sense of feeling understood and not alone. Whether you are a listener in highschool or those days seem like a lifetime ago, you can understand the feeling of not knowing who you are during those formative years. This fun while reflective hit expresses a feeling that all people go through.

Best Not Broken is Eric Jackson (vocals, guitar), Mark Oswald (bass, vocals), Carlo Carluccio (drums, percussion), and Anand Shah (guitar). Since forming in 2012, the band has released four EPs and numerous singles, and actively toured around the Northeast playing many iconic venues. 

Along the way, BNB has opened for legendary rockers like Pat Benatar, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon, The Guess Who, Jewel, Blues Traveler, The Tubes, Little River Band and Jefferson Starship, as well as contemporary chart-topping artists like Jason Derulo, Train, Goo Goo Dolls, Walk The Moon, 30 Seconds To Mars, and Matt Nathanson. Best Not Broken also appeared on the Vans Warped Tour prior to its historic conclusion.

Best Not Broken originally formed as a cover band playing contemporary and classic rock and pop. The band quickly became buzzed-about for its strong musicianship, powerful vocals, and its frenetic performances. From the beginning, Best Not Broken  always had ambitions to play original music, and eventually the guys decided to slip in some originals alongside the covers. Gradually and organically, BNB eased out covers in favor of its own finely-crafted indie pop-rock. Best Not Broken debuted as an all-original band in front of thousands opening for rock legend Pat Benatar.

If you haven’t explored Best Not Broken yet, you must! “I Don’t Belong” is just a taste of what they are capable of, and we are ready for the journey.

Connect with Best Not Broken via:
Website / Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Spotify / Soundcloud / Apple Music