Southern California’s Spark of Life has resurfaced with “In Pursuit Of,” the latest single from their forthcoming album, Plagued By the Human Condition, set for release in early 2025 on New Age Records.
Known for their distinct fusion of melodic and hardcore elements, the band has been quietly evolving since their formation nearly 25 years ago. Their newest offering is a poignant reflection on risk, regret, and resilience, delivered with a sharp edge that underscores their post-hardcore roots.
“In Pursuit Of” builds on a heartland rock riff, blending it with raw, emotionally charged lyrics. Vocalist Steve Jennings explains, “Matters of the heart are always risky. ‘In Pursuit Of’ is about knowing those risks and deciding to chase the love your heart wants anyway…even though it might break in the end.” The track’s blend of melodic introspection and ferocious intensity is emblematic of the album’s thematic focus: navigating adult pain and self-reflection.
Plagued By the Human Condition is a culmination of the band’s decades-long journey, featuring a mix of new material and collaborations, including a cover of “Never Say Never” by ’90s indie cult band That Dog, with Fred Armisen on drums.
Tracks like “Note To Self” showcase the band’s ability to shift seamlessly between delicate, twinkling guitar lines and explosive crescendos, while “No One Hates Me More Than Me” hearkens back to mid-‘90s Bay Area post-hardcore with heavy riffs and melodic breakdowns.
The record reflects a transformation not only in sound but in perspective. Recorded at Cherokee Studios—where legends like David Bowie and Slayer have laid down tracks—the album explores themes of personal growth, loss, and perseverance. Jennings’ lyrics confront middle-aged reflection with unflinching honesty, embodying the weight of lived experience without losing the urgency that defined their earlier work.
Spark of Life’s story is anything but linear. Originally forming in the early 2000s in suburban Los Angeles, the band earned a loyal following with their debut album, Promises Made Promises Kept, produced by Good Riddance’s Russ Rankin and released on Lorelei Records. After a significant hiatus, the band reunited in 2018, reigniting their creative spark at a skatepark show featuring their longtime friends Rise Against.
The journey back to full-time activity wasn’t immediate. Jennings and guitarist Nicholas Piscitello slowly pieced together new material, eventually enlisting Armisen for their 2023 EP, Song of Hope. That record, which leaned into jangling, new wave-influenced melodies, marked the beginning of Spark of Life 2.0. In the years since, the lineup has solidified, with bassist Chris Sprat and guitarist Steve Sain joining the fold, and Nicholas’ brother Anthony returning as the permanent drummer.
“In Pursuit Of” precedes a series of tour dates with Loved Up, kicking off in January 2025. Stops include venues in California and Arizona, promising intimate shows that reconnect the band with fans who have followed their unpredictable path.
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1/22: The Rainbow Bar – Hollywood, CA
1/23: The Hive – Flagstaff, AZ
1/24: Yucca Tap Room – Tempe, AZ
1/25: Groundworks – Tucson, AZ
1/26: Till Two Club – San Diego, CA
