Knox’s “Better Than Me” Is A Radio Juggernaut Waiting to Happen
With just two weeks ahead of the release of Knox’s forthcoming album My Midwest Best, its fourth and final single is here. “Better Than Me,” likely the most pop-forward song of the project, is Knox’s most blatant and brazen attempt at a follow up radio hit to 2023’s “Not The 1975.”
Opening with a whistle and an acoustic guitar, Knox soon enters the fray with double-tracked vocals and a touch of reverb. He catches a female, of a certain physical caliber, with “wandering eyes” across the bar. Knox who, as we know, is unafraid to share stories of his endearing experiences in social situations, responds with a shameless request across the song’s hook: “If you’re really that so far out of my league/ Go on try, go on try, go on!/ Give it a swing!”
Despite his self-assuredness, Knox’s advances are rejected. His response is immediate and cheeky, with excellent vocal placement that reflects the latter: “You got a lotta nerve!/ Don’t let that ego boost go to waste/ But when you fall back to the earth, face first, a mouthful of dirt/ Don’t look at me, I guarantee I won’t be there to save the day."
Across the board, the tune is far sunnier and rhythmic than much of the Midwest emo he portrays on this record, though, in tandem, its melodic cadence and instrumental groove are undoubtedly infectious. Sans “Not the 1975,” it bares relation to that of How To Lose A Girl in 7 Songs’ “Sneakers” and Going, Going, Gone’s “Voicemail” as indelible, immediate choruses of Knox’s growing catalog. Paired with his decision to infuse the lyrical content with spirited undertakings to enliven his vocal tone, Knox’s understanding of pop formulas and sensory-feeding characteristics are fully exhibited here.
The addition of a makeshift choir (presumably of 3-4 people) throughout the chorus bolster’s its overall energy, and, adds a distinct European flavor for a fresh take on the gang vocals that so often permeate Knox’s music. Beyond this, “Better Than Me” possesses all the traits of a song with artistic nuggets and fingerprints from his wide-ranging camp of collaborators, an approach Knox has repeatedly stated he finds comfort in.
Listen to "Better Than Me" below:
