Welcome to The Harmonic Series, a daily(ish) music review series - exclusive to Steemit - where I’ll be discussing music across many different styles and genres from metal, to electronic music, to jazz and beyond!
Sorry for the temporary absence, but I'll have a few things for you all in the next few days, both for THS and other non-music related writing. Anyway, I figured I'd return with something as abrupt and unexpected for me as this new single itself is - a review of it!
American Football is one of the biggest names in midwest emo - arguably the biggest. Their self-titled debut album has been an indie cult classic for nearly two decades, and its blend of heartfelt intimate lyrics with serene Steve Reich-influenced guitar interplay has cemented it as the primary bridge between the styles of math rock and emo. I remember discovering American Football in high school through one of my favorite bands, and a band they influenced heavily, This Town Needs Guns. This discovery would lead me to other bands in the emo style, especially those related to the Kinsella brothers - Mike (who fronts American Football) and Tim (who fronted Cap'n Jazz, and now Joan of Arc) - who together could be considered more influential on emo than anyone else; it's easy to see how this could work the other way, leading people into math rock from emo. This isn't particularly surprising, considering how inherently connected the styles are, but it's interesting musical history nonetheless.
After reissuing their debut album as a 2xLP in 2014 and doing some reunion shows, the band did relatively little. I didn't expect anything, until the band released a teaser video suggesting...well, I could only assume new music! Today - August 23rd 2016 - they announced their new album, named in typically understated fashion: American Football. This announcement came with this single, I've Been So Lost For So Long. From the first note, this track is clearly identifiable as American Football. The plucked and ringing guitar lines are bright both in tone and in harmony. When Mike's vocals come in, I can tell that this band has grown up in a lot of ways. High school angst has turned to adult depression, and just singing in whatever way comes naturally has turned to a confident, focused style. One could hear and predict that development if they followed the music of Owen, Mike's solo project and primary musical outlet since the break of American Football. These vocals are smooth and gentle; more resigned than resentful. The general direction of Owen seems reflected here in the rich production and in the vocal style.
Musically, this track is perhaps one of the most interesting things I've ever heard from the band. The rhythmic elements are on the level of Never Meant, such as the drum interplay during the instrumental bridge. There's a section with a 3 over 2 polyrhythm as well, which feels intensely destabilizing to the groove of the song, as everything around it continues uninterrupted. One can choose to focus on the 2 which follows the primary tempo, or the 3 which makes it seem as if everything surrounding it is slowing down. Perhaps that's the intent?
Thematically, the song is in contrast with the bright and fairly optimistic framing. Kinsella writes of being metaphorically lost and helpless, in an overwhelming capacity. There's shock and numbness at the way life is going: "I can't believe my life is happening to me" he remarks, as if he's just a passenger on a ride, subject to forces he can't control. Perhaps he set them in motion, unaware of what he was doing, but that doesn't seem important or relevant now. He suggests "maybe I'm asleep and this is all a dream," a futile hope that things are better than they seem, and another expression of disbelief. More than just for himself though, he seems to worry about how his state is affecting others. "This isn't the pain I'm usually in/I hope it's not contagious" he tells an ambiguously fictional doctor, in concern about dragging the people he loves down with him.
The song is a sonically rich depression anthem with a refreshing sense of candidness. Perhaps the hopeful musical tone speaks more towards its function than its theme: just hearing that someone else is going through existential misery like this can help, sometimes. My expectations for this album are about where they should be I think, as American Football has always been a band that I've liked, but not quite loved. If this track is any indication, I'm looking forward to the new album as an interesting look into the growth of young and unsure musicians into conflicted and mature adults, and as a musically rich follow up to an album that often teased with its subtle compositions.
American Football (LP2) is out on October 21st, 2016. To preorder the album, head over to American Football's Bandcamp page!
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