Review: With Confidence
With Confidence just released Better Weather B-sides which feature 2 new songs, ‘Here for Nothing’ and “Poison”. You can listen the tracks on Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music or Google Play.
Here for Nothing
‘Here for Nothing’ is one of the most emotional songs on their 2016 debut album ‘Better Weather’. The track features a catchy pop-influenced song structure that I can hear fans singing along to at a show but it’s juxtaposed with heavy and raw lyrics about moving on from a relationship. The lyrics are universal, and are written in a way that anyone can relate to them but they still have a personal pang of anger. That writing style is featured frequently on ‘Better Weather’. // I was fighting for my sanity, while you fought for what was left of me //. There are bits in the song where you can hear the band’s lead singer, Jayden Seeley’s breathing, these small moments make the track feel more personal to a listener. In the chorus, there’s an instrumental break and Jayden’s vocals kick in, his voice is raspy and heavy with frustration and distress.
His voice really shines in this chorus and I’m excited to hear this part played live while the crowd sings along. Some lyrics on this track have imagery of oceans and water and they are written so well, that I can imagine and feel the pain in the words, //You came in like an ocean // I couldn’t let you drown so I let you drift away //. Jayden and background vocalist and guitarist Inigo Del Carmen have moments of consistent, smooth, and beautiful harmonies in this track. ‘Here for Nothing ‘feels passionate and cathartic, I could see a short film music video accompanying it.
Poison
This track reminiscent of State Champs’ 2013 album ‘The Finer Things’ and early 2000’s pop punk bands like Sum 41, which both feature melodic yet heavy guitars and catchy choruses. On this track, Jayden sings the lyrics quickly as if he couldn’t wait to say them, the fast drums accompany his voice at the same tempo. The lyrics are metaphoric yet raw and honest, which can make a listener feel empathy and relate to the heavy emotion in the song, // I see you float away from yourself, you fall like an autumn leaf. Is this everything that you want to be?//.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics // So put yourself together and go learn to be alone A bite that tastes of poison and a feeling that you're home But you've been gone for some time now Find yourself and learn to let go // are sung similar to the format of hip-hop song and flow beautifully with the guitars and drums. These diverse elements come together to make an exciting, chaotic, and smooth track that will sound great live and surely get the crowd jumping non-stop.