What We Live For

The platinum-selling “Best Day of My Life” put American Authors on the map, and their sophomore album is filled with a similar brand of bold pop-rock euphoria. If the titles didn’t give it away, there's a top-of-the-world optimism in explosive, inspirational tracks like “Right Here Right Now,” “What We Live For,” and “Go Big or Go Home”—all guitar-driven rave-ups built around huge choruses. These are the most dynamic when the band adds a flourish of banjo (“Pocket Full of Gold,” “Mess With Your Heart") or whistling electronics (“Nothing Better”).