Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Better Off" by The Break Plans

By Bob Makin
originally published: 05/10/2024

“Better Off,” the latest single from Jersey Shore-based The Break Plans, is the Makin Waves Song of the Week. PHOTO BY DIANE DIMEMMO

In “Better Off,” the big sound of The Break Plans does Asbury Park and the Jersey Shore proud with their poppy harmonic take on mining the dark side of relationships that Springsteen did years before with songs such as ‘Point Blank’ and ‘Darkness on the Edge of Town.’”

The new single from their forthcoming EP is the Makin Waves Song of the Week.

As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Better Off” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on May 10 on “Radio Jersey” at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.

The single launches the indie-poptimistic trio’s series of monthly releases culminating in their debut EP, “Mistakes Are a Friend of Mine.”

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The deceptively uplifting tune is about taking the initial blow of a gut-wrenching breakup by adopting the rallying cry from your friends that you really are now in a better place.

“Heartbreak is really hard and can be incredibly lonely,” lead vocalist Colton Braun said. “I wanted to talk about those experiences so many of us have had. What I’ve learned is that there’s a great deal of freedom that comes from finally letting go. Writing these songs with my band was the most cathartic thing I’ve ever done. I hope our listeners can relate and find comfort in it.”

The crafty, catchy EP is comprised of six songs, including the next single, a powerful ballad, “All Torn Apart,” with country singer Jessica Rose, and a cover of The Fray’s “You Found Me.” Each tune on “Mistakes Are a Friend of Mine” addresses a different phase of self-discovery and growth following the end of the aforementioned meaningful relationship.

“Better Off” follows several successful singles that won’t be on the EP, including 2022’s “Fashionably Late,” which placed in the top 40 of iHeart’s and Mediabase’s Adult Contemporary Charts for 12 weeks straight. The Break Plans — also guitarist Mikey Strawz and drummer Dan Carr — are brand ambassadors for Slate Digital’s wireless mic series and signed with MGM Distribution and Sentric Music Group.

Upcoming festival appearances include North To Shore on June 22 and Musikfest on Aug. 3. For more, visit https://www.thebreakplans.com/.

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].

About the author:

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New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.

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