The raw energy of a folk-rock, knees up band – the likes of which you’d catch around the stages of a summer festival – plus this interesting thread of story-telling & some really appealing set-up choices.
Singles
What begins as a song of sadness or regret, even self-pity, soon grows to be one of inner strength, of self-empowerment. Bianca M appears as an artist rather than simply a singer.
This meeting of classic pop & RnB is not often utilized in modern music – Joan Mercury has her sound & her approach to creativity, and it works in her favour right now.
The lyrics spearhead the trivialities increasingly fixated on by the youth of American culture, taking deeper stabs with each consecutive verse.
It’s as if they’re reminding us that time is the eternal burden, and as each hour passes, one can only approach the end.
Sierra is a song to dance to in the dark, and one could have as much fun head banging alone in the living room as out at the concert hall flouncing with friends.
Alexis Taylor’s vocals are unquestionable, skillful & effortless in portraying both the gentler notes & those loaded with passion & depth. Production-wise too, the finish is crisp & pretty flawless.
The ears are swept away on clouds of thought-provoking lyrics while the beat demands bodily movement. The words pair diametrical images of nature, displaying the grandiose & objective circle of life.
It seems wrong to simply let it play behind you. It works much more effectively to immerse yourself in the moment & witness the artistry & ideas unfolding in real-time.
BMP’s rap skills are refreshingly enjoyable at this point within the industry. His lines pour through with equal parts personal story-telling & poetry, with a dash of all that is authentically hip hop.
So much more than a song. It’s an atmosphere, a dream inside someone else’s mind – the results of a well-learned, meticulous musician bent on showing you music that will actually take you somewhere.
Bend is a superb debut, immediately warming & indicative of a band who genuinely love making music.