China's Life Awaits are "Better Now"

Here we are, with Beijing's Life Awaits and the release of their new video for "Better Now". The band recently signed to heavy music label Famined Records, and "Better Now" is their first single for the label.

If you told me 20 years ago that a post-hardcore band from Beijing, China would sound as big, pummel as hard, and ultimately, show the kind of commanding musicianship as many of their North American counterparts do, I would have told you that you were crazy. But here we are, with Beijing's Life Awaits and the release of their new video for "Better Now".

The band recently signed to heavy music label Famined Records, and "Better Now" is their first single for the label. Life Awaits formed in 2015 and released their debut album, Waves, in 2017.

Vocalist Yu talked about the new single, calling it an escape from the inner demons;

"I personally suffered from bipolar disorder for a period of time. So there’s anger in it and there’s also desperation. But most importantly, there is an exit from it all. And we hope the song can reach out to those who have the same problem and can find their own way out."

I have to admit, it's a lot better than I could have ever imagined. Growing up in the region (close-ish), the thought of a local band making the same kind of noise as some of the heavyweights was such a far-fetched idea. But the last 20 years have seen so much growth and accessibility to music that would have never gone to the far reaches of the globe. Life Awaits took this opportunity and really hit hard.

Check out the video and single below, and be as impressed as I am by the potential and growth of post-hardcore in China.