There is something for everyone in this latest album!
Born in the 90s, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and audio engineer Nick Standing AKA Jabun created a DIY ska punk/pop punk music project calling it Better Than The Book. He started this project back in 2012, with high energy instrumentals and honest relatable lyrics about his own experiences. He creates heartfelt anthems to inspire and help people.
He first released an EP back in 2012 called ‘One Small Step’. He then released his first album ‘Two Years On’ in 2016, second album ‘Hopes and Dreams’ was released in 2019, and now his third full-length album ‘Side Character In My Own Life’ was released on 13th June 2025, consisting of 10 tracks, plus 4 bonus tracks and radio edits. He also released an instrumental version of the album on 23rd July 2025.
The first single to be released from the album was ‘Plot Holes’, on 30th December 2024, and was featured on BBC Introducing: The South.
The second single ‘Side Character In My Own Life’ was released on March 28th, 2025, and featured on Ska Time show on Button Down Radio, The Warp Factor Radio Show, Tonic Ska Radio, and Beefy’s Ska Club in Australia, which also featured bonus track ‘Hearts Racing Backwards’.
The third and final single to be released was ‘Bump In The Night’, on 23rd May 2025, which was also featured on BBC Introducing: The South.
Right, let’s get on with the review! If you’re a fan of bands like Blink 182, Green Day, Less Than Jake, and Zebrahead, then you will certainly love this album! This whole album is absolutely brilliant! So much passion and hard work has been put into the songs, and it definitely shows in every track. There are some ska tracks, some pop punk tracks, some alt rock tracks, all of which are incredibly well written and produced.
There are times I’ve wanted to skank, times I’ve wanted to headbang, and times I’ve wanted to just jump around! It’s a great mixture of music genres, relatable and truthful lyrics, and overall, Nick is such a talented guy! Please go listen to this album and enjoy all the different tracks for yourself – I guarantee there is something for everyone in this album!
Get your copy of Better Than The Book‘s ‘Side Character In My Own Life’ on CD and vinyl HERE and as a digital download HERE
- 2020 Was A Write-off, But What Comes Next?
- Side Character In My Own Life
- Mood Swings
- Red Kite
- Rewrite
- Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself
- Hold Me Tight
- Bump In The Night
- Plot Holes
- You’ll Never Be Too Old For This
- Hearts Racing Backwards
- Plot Holes (Alternative Version)
- Hold Me Tight (Non-Acoustic)
- Side Character In My Own Life (Acoustic)
- Hold Me Tight (Radio Edit)
- Bump In The Night (Radio Edit)
- Plot Holes (Radio Edit)
- You’ll Never Be Too Old For This (Radio Edit)
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I’ve been going to gigs since I was 18 years old, and have loved them ever since. They are my second home. I enjoy discovering new bands, meeting punks of different ages, and learning more about the scene. I sing, play guitar, and learning the drums. Punk for life!
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