If I had to choose one genre to consume endlessly, I would without hesitation choose indie rock every single time. This new EP, released by Magana on January 24th, is a perfect example of WHY I feel that way.
The beginning of Bad News is defined for me by a pouncing clarinet riff and lyrics that are all-to-relatable to those who have experienced a night out. Not a fun night out, but rather one that makes you look at your partner completely differently by the time you arrive home. Maybe they took a conversation too far or showed a part of themselves that had previously been hidden underneath layers of deceit. Either way, you’ve sobered up and can’t ignore the judgement that seeps from every pore as they doze off in a booze-soaked slumber.
The track “Hold On”, to me sounds like the morning after the first song takes place. It’s like a love note for that person you carried home last night. You’re giving it your all, making sweet promises to be anything that other person needs you to be. It’s as though denial has set in and you’re coping by forcing yourself to hold onto the love no matter what.
As we continue into track 3, “Shower Song”, it seems that the seasons have changed for us and we’re not willing to give the relationship our all anymore.
With lyrics like “When life gets old and the water here is getting cold”, the spark has fizzled out and has been replaced by some sort of disconnected monotony, “I don’t want to make love anymore/Because you feel like a stranger” it seems we’ve crossed a line we can’t uncross and our body and mind has made a final decision that we’re not in love anymore (with or without our consent).
Overall, this EP is a tremedous listen with its sprinkles of ethereal woodwind riffs, beautifully rich vocals, and lots of self-deprecating honesty as showcased in Iines like “I’m a bore” or “Everyone else is so much fun”. It’s like we want to be anyone but us and we’re holding others to a different standard than ourselves, never allowing ourselves to reach the impossibly high bar WE are in control of setting. I cannot recommend this EP enough!
Written by Newt Fangs
