Better Without You

[Thomas]

Mar 4, 2021 9:38:17 GMT -6 imnotbroken118 said:

Finally, some piano fills! Which is nice because the "strings" in the chorus are barely audible and sort of a waste of time. Might has well have cut costs and used electronic strings. I'm hoping other songs have them more prominently featured.

Yeah, even my best friend right away commented on the mix. You can barely hear Amy through most of the song. And the vocal layering in the last chorus is a mess. I can't wait to get the official lyrics from Amy. I find it's easier to hear the vocal sometimes when I know what she's singing and what to listen for.

There are also spots where I think the transitions could have crunched more or hit harder.
I know Ev songs are big and have a lot of tracks to account for (I took production classes in music college and I'd be afraid to touch an Ev song), but these tracks need to be in the hands of someone who can handle it. I feel like I'm missing out on the magic that Amy is hoping to capture.

I do really like the song though. It gives me a My Last Breath/Tourniquet feel with the electronic elements placed all over. There's a specific sound I can hear at the very end in my headphone (maybe it'll lead into the next song?) that intrigues me. I'm so ready for the full album!

I believe they're real strings since the band got to record orchestra last November.

What I miss about Ev is hearing the details like on TOD. Each listen you hear something new. Synthesis is a little like that, since the guitars and rock drums were not part of it. I wish they had gone to that electronic route with TBT and explored it further, perhaps in the vein of Yeah Right (but not poppy).

Mar 4, 2021 12:56:31 GMT -6 BridgeToClarity said:

I guess I'll be the first to say, in my opinion of course, I'm not feeling it. I don't think it's terrible and maybe it could grow on me like TGIO, but the production/mixing is BAD. It's like whomever mixed the previous releases did not master this one. Amy's vocals are drowned out and sound altered in the chorus. The lyrics don't feel innovative, sounds very "filler". I'll keep listening to see if anything draws me in. I'm still really excited to hear the rest.

I'm not feeling it as well. Nick is the mixing engineer in all tracks, and this one is a real mess. I'll probably skip it when the full album comes out. Ot it might grow on me somehow.

Too bad they were not able to work with a different producer in other tracks, but I understand it wasn't "doable" due to the pandemic. I hope they don't work with Nick in the next album.

[Rarkphoenix]

Just seen the lyrics. You know what I was saying how the lyrics seemed cliche/cheesy, but might make sense in context? This. Absolutely this. The lyrics are so so relatable to anyone who's had to deal with today's music industry, and I love how Amy balances her usual sassy style with admissions of fragility. Switching between first, second and third person perspectives is clever too. It really does deep dive into a very specific scenario and how it impacts and damages everyone involved. Can't wait to listen to the lyrics in the context of the music now

For me this is the most promising track from the album yet, but I don't want to get my hopes up too much just yet.

[dekkerchristopher]

The mixing of the instrumentals are actually really good. It just seems like he doesn't set Amy's voice in the right place in the mix. Or he doesn't leave enough head room before adding vocals. IDK. I just hate that, IMO, these are really great songs that don't have the same impact because the main instrument (Amy's voice) is treated like a background instrument. I'm so excited for the album and do really love these songs, but I never used to have to wait for official lyrics to be released to understand Amy until Nick started mixing.

[jazer426]

I like the song, and like others have stated feel that the vocals are a bit overpowered by nicks mixing. If the vocals could be heard clearer I think this song would do quite well. 

[isaiahwhisper]

I think this is easily my favorite one we've gotten yet, even with the mixing issues. I really like the heavier/chunky guitars, and the chorus sounds huge. This is the type of song I enjoy hearing from them, so I'm definitely happy. I do agree with everyone about the mixing though. Amy's voice is wayyy too quiet and is completely drowned out at some parts. I love the song but they really dropped the ball with the mixing.

[arlieimperfection]

I’ll be giving my full thoughts after a proper listen with the lyrics in front of me tonight. However, what I can say is this song feels like if a piece from each album was shoved together in hopes that it would work. If it were anyone besides Evanescence...this track would be completely disjointed in search of a core personality. But Amy, as always, knows what the heck she is doing.

[senzafine]

I agree with the comments about the mixing, it’s definitely hard to hear Amy at some points. But I do have to say after a few listens ... I think it might be my favourite so far. I love the sultry verses, it has a strong chorus, interesting little interludes and what would be a great bridge (if I could hear what she was singing!) This one feels like they took a bit of Fallen, the Open Door and Ev3 and mixed it all together and I love the vibe.

[silentday01]

On first impressions, it tops TGIO for me. Very heavy and nice to see strings back. The vocals need to be louder though. Especially during the verses, it can be really hard to know what she’s saying.

[anto]

I'm assuming this is about their old record label. If so, the "wind-up" music box is such a beautiful level of petty that drives the aggressive energy to a whole new level. 
Easily my #1 so far. 

[princeofpersia]

Official link:

[dekkerchristopher]

Official lyrics:

"Better Without You"

Stand in the front but shut up till I tell you to go.
Don't get caught up in pretend cause you're not in control
'Cause this is my world, little girl you'd be lost on your own.
Just hating and waiting and saving up.

I'll do you a favor and save you if you sign on the line.
Don't worry your pretty little head about the future, it's all fine
Whether you're wrong or you're right doesn't matter you're not up to the fight
Keeping my head down
'Cause they don't know what I know now

As empires fall to pieces
Our ashes twisting in the air
It makes me smile to know that
I'm better without you

Now look around and remember your friends if you can.
Feeding the flames till there's no one to blame it's on your hands.
Lost in your lies, pay the price with our lives, you've gone mad.
And there's no way out
'Cause we all know you're hollow.

REPEAT CHORUS

Not enough, not enough
Not enough to throw it all away
We'd still be falling.
We're fallen.
Turn it up, turn it up
Never gonna shut me up again
Your time is over
It's over now!

REPEAT CHORUS

[princeofpersia]

OMG! THIS IS SO GOOD! THIS IS SO SO SO GOOD I CAN'T! 😭😭😭❤️

[mattthomas1992]

I'm not hearing any of the issues that people have mentioned with the mixing, Amy's vocals are really clear and never drowned out.

This song is definitely about Wind Up, the lyrics seem to take us through various quotes that people at Wind Up have said to Amy. The Wind Up music box is so petty and I love it. The last verse about Fallen is so great!

[Rarkphoenix]

First thoughts, I can hear what you're all saying about mixing. The balance between the instruments sounds spot on to me, but the vocals are getting drowned out by the rest of the mix and aren't breaking through nearly as well as they should be for clarity and power. This def seems to be an issue with the mastering process as they seem to have been recorded well and sound good, they're just not cutting. There's too much fighting with the vocals for EQ space.

Compositionwise though, farrrrrrrk. This is what I've been waiting for. This is the Evanescence I know and love. None of the other tracks quite hit the spot for me, but I love this. It throws back to old Ev, but also tries new things in a way that feels 'right'. Will have to give it a few more listens, but so far so good (:

Edit: Keys are getting drowned out too in places. Again this doesn't feel like a problem with composition as of mastering as I feel like it shouldn't be an impossible task to make it work without losing too much of each instrument. I feel like part of the problem is they've got a f*cking phenomenal tone out of those guitars and they're maybe worried about losing too much of that by taking out certain frequencies to make space for vocals/keys etc., but it's quite a low tuned guitar (maybe a 7 string?) so I feel like it really shouldn't have to obscure Amy's voice too much even when she's singing softer/lower.

I dunno, there's a lot to unpick here, but I do genuinely think it has the potential to be one of the best Ev tracks I've ever heard if it's given the master it deserves. I mean it's better than any job I could do so I'm not judging But I feel like it definitely deserves those fine adjustments to get the most of such a powerful song.

[princeofpersia]

Just wanted to mention that the quality of official audio on youtube is really low compared to itunes. It sounds 'perfect' on itunes for me. loud and everything sounds clear and polished.