British band Bastille’s new single feels oddly and accidentally relevant considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The new single serves as an anthem to pushing through and crawlin’ out these sheets to see another day…
Though, band frontman Dan Smith states that the significance of the song came about completely accidentally. By the time lockdown started, the unintended relevance had left him feeling self-conscious.
The song feels lighter than some of Bastille’s previous releases. Smith’s vocals feel breathier, more withdrawn, and just a little softer than the full-sounding belt we’ve become accustomed. Backed by vibrating bass tones, and synth chords, the song feels more like one you would find on a lo-fi YouTube compilation than on a Bastille album. When compared to the band’s darker, heavily-produced first album that contained odes to Twin Peaks, Greek Mythology and the Bible, this feels like a completely different band.
The change in style is far from unappreciated, however. The new sound works. It feels summery and easy to listen to, which these days, can feel exactly like what many people need – a song to just chill out to. I wanted to describe the song as escapism, but that seems to ignore the very core of the song. Bastille isn’t seeking distraction from unpleasant times, they’re acknowledging them – “cause it feels like I’ve been livin’ upside down” – and saying “you know what, life’s hard but I’m pulling through”.
Bastille’s new single Survivin’ is an ode to no longer pretending you’re simply okay all the time and it’s come at what seems like an oddly perfect time. Though it isn’t my favourite Bastille song ever, it’s well worth a listen.
Rating: 6/10
By Robbie Nichols
Featured Image Credit: Virgin Records