#going into this new album cycle theres no like. songs that only have live performances. theres nothing we've already heard

[sixftmp3]

less than 24 hours until we get the first idkhow single in two years, and the first BRAND NEW, UNHEARD idkhow music in three!!!

#me.txt #i dont think its truly hit me yet that theres going to be new idkhow #like. a song we have never ever EVER heard before #going into this new album cycle theres no like. songs that only have live performances. theres nothing we've already heard #and are just waiting for a studio version of #like mx sinister and lights go down and door were cases of that #but this album cycle doesnt have any loose ends so to speak #GOD ITS SO EXCITING

[radramblog]

Album Discussion- Billy Believe

My dumbass only left an hour to write a blog entry on the day I’m trying to dedicate to doing album discussions, before I have to go to work. So this might be a tad more hurried than standard.

Stuck in the Sound are a French rock band that have been around for like, 15 years? And in that time they’ve solidly not really broken into the mainstream, possibly outside of France itself (They do perform in English, to be clear). They’re probably best known for their music videos- “Let’s Go”, as an example, has over 100 million views, and while none of the others really match that they’re clearly where a lot of effort is going.

But we aren’t talking about the videos, we’re talking about the music, and in this case, the 2019 album Billy Believe. No I don’t know what that refers to. Anyway!

This album opens on Forever Days, and as usual, we want to figure out what the deal is from that opener. It’s kind of, a very minor-keyed love song, I think? There’s something that feels a little off about some of the background instrumentation, even as the main of it is relatively standard. If I’m honest, as an opener this song leaves something to be desired. It’s solidly ok, not really demonstrating the potential I know the band has- particularly in the vocal space. It’s a mid fucking song, man.

Serious, on the other hand, is one of my more liked songs on the album. It’s not an especially technical one, but it’s just got this excellent vibe- very chill, very uplifting, would recommend. The band clearly thought this one was worth the time, as well, because this one did get a video. As opposed to the name, the song is not especially serious- its airy, and I’m not just saying that because the video is on a plane. It’s got room.

Third song up is See You Again, a bit chunkier with that lower, groovier line. I do like the melody this is based around, that little tempo shift or whatever you call it. Where one part of it is like twice as quick as the rest? It’s been way too long since I studied music theory, I’m clearly unqualified for this. Aside from that, it’s largely inoffensive, nothing particularly special. Better than Forever Days, but that’s not the biggest bar if you ask me.

Our next song is Break Up, which feels very early 10’s alt-pop. Something like Magic! or F.U.N. would have put up. A bit more low-key than those, which I think is for the best, because those tracks often ended up relentlessly irritating. This song is very loose, somewhat quiet, but not really pensive in the way I’d like it to be. I’d also be interested in the song, like, going somewhere, but it’s perfectly content to remain in its vibe, which is fffffiine. It’s fine. Song’s fine.

In case you couldn’t tell by the youtube link, Alright is another single, and it’s extremely tense. This song is actually just loads of fun. It’s cycle of tense and frantic build up and energy as it grows to a climax, as the lyrics yell “just remember! That your life is shit!” and it just cuts back into this gorgeous little piano line and it’s really chill and pretty for a while. It’s this duality that really sells the song, and it helps that both areas would be really solid on their own. This is probably the best track on the album, if you ask me.

Wait, this has a video? I don’t remember this song. The Rules feels like the “rock bottom” song from some kinda rock opera, which I don’t know if the album has really earned, but I guess it isn’t trying to. Seriously, though, this is the song for when you’re pulling your face-heel turn by cheating on your partner. I hope that never ends up being relevant in my life.

Actually, this would make a great Bond theme. This song’s pretty solid, all things considered.

 Unlovable is a depression mood. This song feels the level of discordant that those sorts of emotions usually tend to. And then I read the lyrics and, uh, what the fuck is going on here. Theres a bunch of music references, and it’s clear that both people are shitcunts, and I don’t even know. I’m pretty sure the awkward grammar is just for the meter of the song, not because English isn’t their first language- they’ve only been writing songs in it for over a decade. Back to the song, though, It’s kinda grungey? Which I think is a step back to their roots, considering (and I haven’t listened to it so don’t quote me) it’s called Nevermind the living dead. It’s a bit of an odd one, but it’s fine.

So, Petit chat, is…a chiptune? At least, that’s how it opens, a pretty fun way to open a rock song, to be honest. It’s pretty short, too, but it’s a real fun track. Honestly, I think this is what Stuck in the Sound is best at, these sort of frenetic rock songs with some fun instrumentation and a fair bit of yelling. It’s a solid track!

For the curious, petit chat is like, a term of endearment, it’s like “darling”, but also very close to the substantially more literal ma petite chatte, which means pussy. And not the pawed kind.

 The next song, Action, has a featured vocalist by the name of Holybrune, who I’ve never heard of outside of this. Honestly, this song feels kinda weak even with the added vocals. It feels like it’s trying to be sort of dramatic/quiet in different parts, but the energetic bits are just lacking. I feel like there’s almost an instrument missing here or something, the gap doesn’t feel intentional. Almost unfinished? I don’t know. It’s pretty meh.

The next song is actually the first single from the album, Vegan Porn Food, and it is one I could never possibly recommend to someone based on name alone. Which is a shame because the song fucks. I know I said before that high-energy was the band’s strong suit, but this is a grungy, murky delight. It only gets more strained and desperate as it goes, even with the brief moments of levity in there. It’s a shockingly dark song for the band, and the album in general, in a way I genuinely did not expect- I remember when this single came out, being the first from the album at all, and I was really excited to hear a whole album like this. For better or worse, Billy Believe is not that- and I guess this would probably overstay its welcome at 11 tracks length.

Our penultimate track is Radioactive God Explosion, which opens by yelling its title just so you know its serious. It’s pretty apocalyptic, but also doesn’t seem to take itself very seriously, and to be fair, I’m not about to take a song named Radioactive God Explosion seriously either, we already had that song. Much like See You Again, there are parts of this I really like, and the remainder of it is passable enough that it makes the grade. The riff is lots of fun, and frankly yelling RADIOACTIVE GOD EXPLOSION!! OH NO OH NO is fun as fuck. This is the second least listened to track on the album (on spotify), and I don’t think it deserves that.

(The final track, Riots, also has a video. In fact I hadn’t seen it, it’s their most recent one. But, Tumblr’s only letting me attach 5 Youtube vids to this post, so you’re going to have to find it yourself. It’s REALLY good! And also pretty gay happy pride month folks. Break Up also had a video but I completely forgot about it oops)

Riots is the closer, and it feels very final. As RGE was the silly apocalypse, this one genuinely feels like your end of the world sorta shit. It’s regretful, and defiant, and pained, and honestly really good. I don’t even remember having heard this song prior to today, and I kinda regret that. It’s great! Like I feel like I’ve missed a lot by not having had this song in the old playlist for this whole time. Shit man, new fave.

And that’s the lot of them! Overall, Billy Believe kind of confirmed what I had feared about Stuck in the Sound in general- ultimately they are a singles band more than an album band, and that’s not a great place to be in Indie Rock. With that in mind, the highlights of this album are extremely high, and if nothing else you should watch the videos- both the music and visuals in them are just great.

Also one of the guys in this band looks exactly like a friend of mine but older gruffer and French and its fucking weeeeird

#ramble #music #indie rock #stuck in the sound #yo why the fuck was badroom not on this album though that song slaps