Some bands take decades to find their true identity—Divergent decided to build theirs from scratch, and they’re doing it with the kind of confidence that says, “Yeah, we’ve been waiting 40 years to unleash this.” Their new single, “Not Until It’s Right,” is the latest chapter in a story that began with teenage dreams, detoured through adulthood, and circled right back to what mattered most: making music that feels alive, unexpected, and unmistakably their own.
If their previous release “Runnin’ Free” hinted at how wide their creative universe could stretch, “Not Until It’s Right” grabs you by the hand, pulls you under neon lights, and drops you straight onto the dancefloor. This track opens with the crisp click-click of Paul Richards’ drumsticks—an instant adrenaline shot—and suddenly you’re in the middle of a night where anything can happen. The song follows a lovestruck protagonist captivated by a girl who isn’t settling for anything less than magic. She wants rhythm, connection, energy—“No, no, no” she insists—the moment has to be perfect before she lets the sparks truly fly.
The groove is irresistible. James Richards’ catchy piano rhythm—born on his cherry wood Chickering upright—locks in with Mike McAlister’s swaggering walking bass line and Paul’s sharp, forceful snare. What starts as a playful bounce blooms into the kind of swinging rock energy Divergent does best. It’s a track that feels spontaneous yet meticulous, carefree yet carefully crafted—exactly the kind of balance you get when musicians truly trust each other.
And that trust spills straight into the music video. Shot at Sweetwater Studios in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, it looks and feels like we’re stepping into the band’s own creative sanctuary. James glides over the keys without ever breaking focus, Mike grooves with effortless charisma, and Paul hits the drums with the kind of intensity that shakes the room. It’s raw, polished, and electric all at once—proof that Divergent’s chemistry isn’t just real, it’s magnetic.
With “Not Until It’s Right,” Divergent continue shaping a sound that’s entirely theirs—a blend of instinct, heart, and decades of lived experience, funneled into music that feels fresh, vibrant, and ready to explode. If this is what they’re giving us on the way to their 2026 album Rev It Up, then buckle up. This band is only just getting started, and they’re already burning bright.
‘Not Until It’s Right’ is groovy, electrifying, and bursting with the kind of energy that makes you hit repeat without thinking twice.
