The Band CAMINO continues to thrive in their iconic combination of emotional vulnerability and anthemic pop-rock production on their latest album, NeverAlways Vol. 2. Every track keeps you on your feet with catchy guitar riffs, lush synth layers and a lyrical openness that goes deeper than what we’ve heard from them before. Navigating themes of past regret, imposter syndrome, romantic hope and emotional intimacy, The Band CAMINO have created a musical reminder that we are all trying to figure out the confusion of life together.
Since forming in Memphis in 2015, the trio has become a strong force in the modern pop-rock scene. Now based in Nashville, the band — Jeffrey Jordan (vocals/guitar), Spencer Stewart (vocals/guitar) and Garrison Burgess (drums) — broke out with tracks like “Daphne Blue” and “One Last Cigarette.” Their fresh, yet nostalgic blend of indie-pop, rock and a splash of electro-pop has drawn in an ever-growing group of supporters over the years. Their latest chapter continues through the multi-part NeverAlways project — with Vol. 1 having been released in 2025 — further highlighting the band’s recognizable sound and intention.
NeverAlways Vol. 2 leans into something new for The Band CAMINO: emotional contradiction. “Mascara” ruminates on the regret of young love, replaying every immature mistake through steady guitar lines and Stewart’s lingering backing vocals. Lines like, “Still have bad dreams about you / Love I wasted on my youth,” encapsulate the guilt that never fully dissolves. Meanwhile, “Mirror Mirror” brings out a depth surrounding self-sabotage and the struggle with one’s identity, pushed forth through the pounding of Burgess’ bass drum and a guitar solo that’s packed with personality. The core of the track is wanting to become a better version of yourself for someone, but continuously falling into the suffocating trap of self-destruction:
“My montage of mistakes made goes on for miles / And I’m stuck somewhere in between / Who I am and who I wanna be.”
The tension between longing and hope is the thread that weaves its way into every track. “Afterthought” captures the depleting cycle of returning to someone with flippant, almost avoidant tendencies while conveying mixed signals. This experience is made more potent with Jordan and Stewart’s vocal handoff, making it feel shared rather than individual. On “Another Body,” the band contrasts floaty, bouncy production with lyrics about the desire for stable, emotional intimacy rather than the repetition of fleeting lust: “Taking off our clothes, but I hate how it goes.” The distant “Oooh’s” and echoes of “Not just another body” embody that new, yet powerful feeling.
Photos via Noah Tidmore
Still, the album shines with a sweet and subtle optimism. “Talk Cheap, Die Broke” illuminates the youthfulness of this optimism, indulging in the innocent, love-struck nature that comes out in a new romance. Listeners can visualize the hearts in their eyes as they sing about the weightlessness that one feels after meeting someone who makes opening up feel easy again. The repetition of “I can’t stop / I can’t stop talking” perfectly aligns with the awkward excitement of new feelings.
The Band CAMINO doesn’t hide behind a false confidence in their songwriting —they fearlessly acknowledge uncertainty, and “Dancer” is one of their most striking examples of this yet. The track confronts imposter syndrome, overthinking and the confusion of growing up and leaving behind other versions of yourself. One of the most memorable and motivating lines of the whole album, “I’m not a real good dancer / But I’m still on my feet,” encapsulates the band’s creative and emotional intentions beautifully. That same need for clarity and emotional push-and-pull spreads through to “Never and Always,” where the exhaustion of gray areas seeps into every line. It immerses the listener in the simplistic need for bluntness — whether it leads to forever or heartbreak.
The closing track, “What’s Always Been,” feels like the comfort we all need after a spiral session. With the acoustic guitar, Jordan’s falsetto and Stewart’s silky harmonies, the song doesn’t offer a solid resolution, but a hope for it. After diving into emotional extremes throughout the course of the album, The Band CAMINO leaves listeners feeling lighter and a little more seen.
What makes NeverAlways Vol. 2 so compelling is how naturally the band transforms messy emotions into passionate, cathartic pop-rock moments. The record shifts between romantic intimacy, distance and growth through an introspective lens, all while creating a listening experience that is begging to be heard in concert — a trait that has, and will continue to be, a staple in The Band CAMINO’s music.
See The Band CAMINO on 5 Seconds of Summer’s EVERYONE’S A STAR tour here
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