The final pre-release single "Bump In the Night" from Better Than The Book's upcoming 3rd full-length album "Side Character In My Own Life is OUT ! Pre-order Vinyls and CDs now on elasticStage! Side Character In My Own Life releases on Friday 13th June 2025!
Hi everyone and hope you're having a great May 2025! It's time for another big music release and I'm super happy to share the final pre-release single Bump In the Night from Better Than The Book's upcoming 3rd full-length album Side Character In My Own Life! Check it out below and I hope it blows you away!
Bandcamp: https://betterthanthebook.bandcamp.com/track/side-character-in-my-own-life
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEDZKBDunR8
And here on Newgrounds:
And if you're a $1 Patron you have the mp3 and artwork downloads here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/128923738
Bump In The Night is a nostalgic trip into childhood and teenage fears and horror franchises contrasting with the real scary stuff about adulthood. There's a tonne of references in there (which may shed some light on the album artwork now too), and overall it's a heartfelt pep talk to keep pushing on even when times seem the darkest. Without wanting to toot my own horn too (ironic since there aren't any horns in this track), although not flashy I think this track features my most soulful guitar solo to date and I'm really pleased with the way this one turned out! I hope you find something relatable and comforting in this song and enjoy all the references!
With the final pre-release single out, in case you missed it on Monday I am super happy to announce that the Side Character In My Own Life album will be releasing on Friday 13th June 2025 (Jason Voorhees reference lol), not only on digital download, but on CD and Vinyl too! Physical preorders are now open on elasticStage! Check it out below:
https://elasticstage.com/betterthanthebookuk/releases/side-character-in-my-own-life-album
And as mentioned on Monday, elasticStage is an on demand CD and Vinyl pressing service so if that's something you're interested in I highly recommend getting your pre-orders in early so they have time to make the record for the release date! I'll be making a full video review of the CD and Vinyl albums soon, but the short version is if you want ultra hi-fi sound and bonus tracks go CD, if you want big art prints, lyric sheets and that real world tactility (at the expense of some fidelity) go vinyl, and if you can't decide, just get both! XD
In the mean time, digital pre-orders are now open on Bandcamp too along with all three pre-release singles Plot Holes (Radio Edit), Side Character In My Own Life and Bump In The Night (Radio Edit) ready to stream and download! Check out the track list (note the format differences) and credits for the new album below and I hope you're looking forward to all the music still to come:
https://betterthanthebook.bandcamp.com/album/side-character-in-my-own-life
Better Than The Book - Side Character In My Own Life
01 - 2020 Was A Write-off, But What Comes Next?
02 - Side Character In My Own Life
03 - Mood Swings
04 - Red Kite
05 - Rewrite
06 - Don't Be Too Hard On Yourself
07 - Hold Me Tight
08 - Bump In The Night
09 - Plot Holes
10 - You'll Never Be Too Old For This
Bonus Tracks (CD and Digital Only - Not Vinyl)
11 - Hearts Racing Backwards
12 - Plot Holes (Alternative Version)
13 - Hold Me Tight (Non-Acoustic)
14 - Side Character In My Own Life (Acoustic)
+ Additional Radio Edits for Tracks 07, 08, 09 & 10 (Digital Only)
Written, performed and produced by Nick Standing [Jabun]
Recorded, mixed and mastered at JabunAudio by Nick Standing [Jabun]
Artwork, images and photography by Nick Standing [Jabun]
No generative A.I. tools were used in the creation of this album.
A huge thanks to my family and friends (both online and offline) for their support and to the current supporters on Patreon with extra mention to past $10+ patrons: Nathan Puray, and Michael White! Thank you all so much for your help and support in making my musical dreams a reality! You folks are amazing!
That about wraps things up for this post! Mark your calendars for Friday 13th June 2025 for Better Than The Book's biggest album launch to date and until then, I hope you enjoy exploring the CD and Vinyl releases (get those pre-orders in) and thanks as always for supporting Better Than The Book and my music however you can! Exciting times ahead, and I can't wait to fill your ears with more ska punk and pop punk vibes in 3 weeks time! Take care!