10 criminally underrated I Prevail songs

I Prevail burst onto the alternative scene with their iconic cover of Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space” back in 2014 and haven’t slowed down since. They’ve been nominated for two Grammys for their album TRAUMA and have toured the world extensively. Their fusion of hip-hop and metalcore is infectious, with soaring choruses and impactful lyrics. But their discography still holds some brilliant songs that are criminally underrated.

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With hits like “Bow Down,” “Scars,” and “Hurricane,” fans have gravitated toward the band due to their genre fluidity and frank, authentic lyrics. I Prevail speak about mental health and depression, addiction, adversity, and suicide — though many of their songs have a positive spin. The band approach their tracks with the idea of telling people to keep their heads up and never lose hope. The combination of their sincerity, motivation, and banging verses make them one of the most successful post-hardcore bands, with over 200,000 records sold and a platinum-certified song.

Here are 10 of their most underrated tracks, in no particular order.

“Fake” – TRUE POWER (2022)

“Fake” starts as a funky track before becoming a song that showcases what I Prevail do best. Their near-perfect soaring chorus calls out the idea of “fake” people and the personality traits involved with being disingenuous, with a steady rhythm and a melodic riff. The killer guitar solo in the bridge adds a level of cheekiness to the song, embodying the idea of classic rock and the genre’s attitude. The solo leads to clean vocalist Brian Burkheiser and dirty vocalist Eric Vanlerberghe bouncing off each other, further intensifying the song. 

“Low” – TRAUMA (2019)

“Low” is a prime example of I Prevail’s consistent discussion of mental health and depression, enforcing it with their metalcore sound. The song features some electronic production, but there’s a healthy balance between instrumentals and electronics that showcases I Prevail’s sweet spot of balancing different sonic methods. The chorus hits hard, using elements of half-time breakdowns to punctuate the rhythm. The lyrics discuss the idea of constantly feeling like you’re at rock bottom, and no matter what you may do, still feel stuck in that rut. The outro sticks with you as Burkheiser belts at the top of his lungs about his sadness — it hurts, in a good way. 

“FWYTYK” – TRUE POWER (2022)

“FWYTK” showcases I Prevail’s ventures into trap and rap while fusing it with their original metalcore sound. The buildup in the prechorus is of note, elevating the elements of trap with high hats and a sickening guitar riff, before an anti-drop in the chorus. The usual, reoccurring positive elements of I Prevail’s lyrical content are twisted into a cynical kind of positivity — the idea of succeeding while condemning the doubts of those around you. Vanlerberghe rules the song, before an insane breakdown at the end.

“Lifelines” – Lifelines (2016)

“Lifelines” shows the band getting their footing and settling into a sound that works for them. I Prevail are on the more melodic side of post-hardcore, with occasional breakdowns and chugging instruments, and the balance of both is evident in “Lifelines.” In particular, the lyrics of this track shine, looking at a traumatic experience and the way it shatters life as you know it. It’s a relatable, understated track that catapults the band’s ideology of brutal, dark honesty and beautiful melodies to the forefront of their work. 

“Closure” – TRUE POWER (2022)

One of I Prevail’s most prevalent talents is the ability to create a metalcore ballad. Burkheiser is particularly gifted when it comes to the emotional, sentimental aspect of a tender, slower song — his voice is able to convey pain eloquently and clearly. I Prevail switch up the typical aspect of their chugging verses and soaring choruses, opting for a powerful, full-force chorus and a faded verse. The chorus of this song shines fully, pulling at heartstrings and leaving chills in its wake.

“Paranoid” – TRAUMA (2019)

While this song could be considered to be one of their most recognizable, it’s still criminally underrated. The steady beat, the buildup in the prechorus, the fake anti-drop of the chorus before it blows up into this heavy, intense melody. The guitars are spectacular, holding a certain mystery in their tone, creating a truly haunting atmosphere. The lyrics talk about paranoia, hence the name of the song, but it shows an introspection into actually questioning the paranoia and its effects. 

“Crossroads” – Heart vs. Mind (2014)

“Crossroads” is buried in I Prevail’s early discography. You can hear their newfound understanding of their sound and lyrics. There’s the introduction of smooth guitar melodies and a soaring chorus, with Vanlerberghe chiming in with backing vocals in the first verse and chorus before coming to the forefront of the song in the second verse. They’re learning their balance, and it’s such a fantastic song because you can hear the budding genius of I Prevail. 

“Chaos” – Lifelines (2016)

The idea of I Prevail finding their footing on their 2016 album, Lifelines, is emphasized on “Chaos.” Vanlerberghe flexes his vocal capabilities on this track, contrasting the melodic and comforting nature of Burkheiser’s vocals. Their vocals complement each other, creating a balance between having a beautiful, melodious chorus and an intense, chugging verse and prechorus. “Chaos” talks about the idea of home being “where you make it” and the turmoil of trying to find where one belongs. I Prevail continue to balance their music with dark topics but approach it with a sense of positivity and hope.

“Let Me Be Sad” – TRAUMA (2019)

Another ballad, with a twist. This song follows I Prevail’s typical structure of soaring choruses and rhythmic verses. The second verse has Vanlerberghe using a style of spoken word if you will, with the annunciation of his words particularly powerful. The bridge is the star of the show — it features a guitar solo over a coasting, haunting background with both Vanlerberghe and Burkheiser taking turns, belting over the melancholic melody. The lyrics acknowledge the importance of connecting with your emotions and embracing them, rather than turning away.

“RISE” – Lifelines (2016)

“RISE” is an anthem, through and through. The drums flourish in this song, bringing life to the chugging guitars in the verses and melodic riffs in the chorus, driving home the intensity and importance of the lyrics. The song ultimately motivates and encourages those feeling as if they need that extra push to succeed, even though they know they can. It’s a reminder that you can do anything you put your mind to, and to never give up.