Hey guys, remember a while back when I discussed a single called "Hum of the Hidden Machine"? Well the artist behind that single is back. Metaphorically speaking, of course; for they are home under lockdown just like the rest of us, as the title of their latest single would imply. "Lockdown" hit streaming services several weeks ago, nearly a full year into our "2 week quarantine."
Of all the singles I've heard thus far that were written about or inspired by the Coronavirus Pandemic and the house arrest or mask mandate that came along with it, this one is arguably the catchiest. What I immediately notice about this track is how night and day it is compared to "Hidden Machine." This one features an almost surfy skate-punk-like sound to it, or perhaps a skatey surf-punk sound. Soon the vocalist joins in, and his voice reminds me very much of what would happen if we were to combine Elvis Costello with Joe Strummer of The Clash. And as you can imagine just from my description, these two elements of the punkish tone of the guitar and the Strum-ello voice combine beautifully.
As I mentioned in a previous post where I discussed the record "Synergy" by Gardner & James, I talked about how I didn't really care much for their song "Talk To Myself" because the last thing I want from the music I listen do during lockdown, is to be reminded that we're in lockdown. However, I have since used this song in my Quarantine Synic Selects bonus EP, so I clearly have gotten over this. But even if I wasn't, I would still appreciate this single. There's something so mindlessly fun about it, where you could shut your brain off and just enjoy it regardless of what it's about. But if you were to really pay attention to the lyrics, you would hear some lines such as "The brokenhearted lovers are all calling it quits / They say 'Never love a girl with the mannequin tits / But she gives me what I want now / and we're a Lockdown'" Full disclosure, the lyrics took me a few listens and a few more reads to really get, but what I believe the artist is saying, with special thanks and interpretation credits to Lady Synic, so I guess I should say what WE believe the artist is saying... is that this song is 3 accounts of different people involved in toxic/destructive relationships who feel like they should get out of them, but can't because they are locked down with their partner, both metaphorically and literally, and decide it is better to be partnered and abused than be completely alone during the times of Covid. It's tragically beautiful in this way, assuming Lady Synic and I are correct in our interpretation...
What I think my favorite thing about this song is, is how contrary the subject matter of the lyrics are compared to the song's overall sound. It's fast in tempo, and just drives forward in a really fun but headbangy sort of way, all the while the song's message is a massive bummer. I love when songs do this. You're so engaged in the music you don't even realize what the lyrics are telling you.
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