The Bad & the Better is the fourth studio album by American electropop singer-songwriter The Ready Set. The album title was announced on March 18, 2014 along with the track listing. It was released on May 27, 2014 by Razor & Tie Records. The album was released as a 4 track-EP featuring the singles "Higher", "Freaking Me Out" and "Give Me Your Hand (Best Song Ever)" plus the song "Carry Me Home" digitally outside the United States. Background On June 6, 2013, Witzigreuter announced that he finished writing his fourth studio album on Twitter. On March 18, 2014, the Ready Set signed to Razor & Tie Records announcing the release of his upcoming album, The Bad & the Better. Witzigreuter spoke about being signed to Razor & Tie stating, "I'm so excited to be signed to Razor & Tie. I feel like it's a great opportunity to get more of my music out there in really creative ways, and I've already seen a ton of passion. I think it's going to be a great partnership." Co-owner of Razor & Tie Cliff Chenfeld added, "We are very excited that Jordan and The Ready Set have chosen to work with Razor & Tie. Jordan is an amazing talent and we will do everything we can do to get his music to the largest possible audience." Singles The Ready Set released "Give Me Your Hand (Best Song Ever)" as the first single from The Bad & the Better. The song peaked at number 30 on the US Mainstream Top 40 and at number 33 in New Zealand. The second official single, "Higher", was released on April 8, 2014. The song was serviced to contemporary hit radio in the United States on May 6, 2014. That same day, the third single, "Freakin' Me Out" was released. The music video was released on October 15, 2014 via VEVO. A live music video for the track "Fangz" directed by Sergio Padilla was released on December 10, 2014. Critical reception Tim Sendra of AllMusic rated the album three-and-a-half stars, remarking how the release is "all AM pop giddiness, spunky energy, and soft-pedaled, cuddly heartbreak", and how "It's machine-driven, it's juvenile, and it's not going to change the world, but it's a bunch of fun and that's plenty." At Alternative Press, Evan Lucy rated the album two and a half stars, stating that the release is "ultimately disappointing."