Here’s one of those musical adventures that warrants a second, third and fourth listen. And yet, it feels like it could be in a movie about cars and night driving (hah). But in all seriousness, the inherent eighties-ness of this track makes it both charming and nostalgic without the age to back it up. It’s today. But it also takes you away and holds your hand while you travel down a road that I can only imagine is similar to that rainbow intergalactic space road on Mario Kart where you can’t fall off the edge otherwise you fall into space. That kind of adventure.
There’s no lyrics here, which I love, because every once in a while you need a soundtrack to your thoughts. Right now my thoughts are pretty focused on just being. The last time I actively found a song to soundtrack my thoughts, it was a Fleetwood Mac track off Rumours. That remains one of my favorite albums of all time, for the very reason that I’ve stated above. At certain times in my life, I’ve just required the words and music to align perfectly with what was going on inside my own head. There is something magical about a song like The Chain, which is the perfect combination of highs and lows, especially with the twang of the guitar in the background. Such a harmonious joining of musical forces.
Similarly, this song begins with punch and falters between lows and highs throughout. There’s always going to be that driving synth power to remain consistent throughout, but the keyboard that plays what might collectively be six to eight chords over the course of the entire piece, reminds me of a movie. Like you’re getting a glimpse of the hero while looking in the rear view mirror of the villain’s car. He’s always just one step ahead of the hero. There’s a pause in the middle where laughter and applause snakes in, and then we’re dropped right back into the middle of what might be a slow chase scene. It’s a really fun track to be imaginative with, because it feels pretty predictable in terms of where it will go, but it’s not. The instruments are always changing up and the inherent similarity to Flash by Queen happens every once in a while.
As I am someone whose musical tastes are strongly aligned within the field of electronic music and all of its subgenres, I will always loyally be grounded in the genre of classic rock. It’s not a bad place to stay leveled in, especially since so much of what we hear today is inspired by that older sound.
I invite you to indulge in a music fantasy with this track, let it take you somewhere deep into your mind. Just remember, you’re the one who is in control, this song is only your partner.