Marina City "Terminal" review!
Recently one of our writers Emmeline Knowlan had the chance to review Marina City's upcoming EP Terminal. Scroll down for a foreword from lead singer Ryan, and then dive into what Emme thought after listening to the Chicago natives impending release!
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"Terminal has a sort of duality to it. You could use the word to describe a deathly illness or you could use it in the meaning of 'ending one thing and beginning another'. We aren't sure what will happen after this record but we can definitely say, good or bad, this record will change our lives. Welcome to the new era." says Ryan Argast, Lead Vocalist.
Photo by: Penelope Martinez
On first listen Marina City’s upcoming release, Terminal, immediately gives off a 90s boyband vibe that is complemented well by strong guitar and rhythm sections. The vocal harmonies and catchy choruses are mixed with a heavy rock sound, and first song “Man In the Mirror” starts the EP off on a high note. The track has a fast-paced energy that makes it perfect for a workout playlist or a feature in a film like “Rocky.” “Royalty,” the second track on the EP, and “Thieves,” the fourth track, both have a strong Justin Timberlake sound vocally, and I imagine this is how it would feel it if JT went punk-pop. The bass line in “Thieves” is my favorite throughout all five songs on Terminal, and the groovy instrumentals help to make it a good dance track. The only ballad on the EP is my favorite song in the mix. “Better Weather” is incredibly relatable, and lead vocalist Ryan Argast does a great job of portraying the pain and desperation described in the lyrics. This is a song I want to hear live.
Terminal’s first single, “Dreamers Never Die,” is a hard-hitting anthem that closes out the EP by straying away from the sound of the other four tracks. While the message in the music takes a positive spin on today’s popular post-apocalyptic theme, some of the aspects of it are a bit overplayed, especially the slightly cliche chanting during the second verse. While I am a fan of the song, I was a little disappointed in how it compares with the others on the EP overall. You can check out Terminal for yourself on August 11, and keep up to date with Marina City on Twitter and Instagram @MarinaCityBand