‘Guarantor’ by Fight Cloud unfolded in a way I didn’t expect – the calm opening does not prepare you for the heightened emotions that erupt as it progresses. It takes you on a journey, lyrically and musically, and the band finds the perfect balance between creating something complex and angular yet also accessible.
What I love about ‘Guarantor’ is how each further listen reveals more. The playing and writing is skilful and impressive, from intricate drum fills, to varying time signatures (some irregular), to different sections conveying different moods. It is a great track if you want something that you can spend time figuring out and picking apart.
The lyrics, which are about “the difficulty of change and leaving things behind,” are also laden with meaning. I am particularly intrigued by the journey the narrator takes, from “Bleeding through the painful notion / That we don’t belong,” to the realisation that it is “Time to find where we belong,” and a more optimistic ending: “Hopefulness to come again within.” What’s really striking is the use of graphic imagery to depict the pain and struggle that they are undergoing, such as “bleeding,” “Walking with shattered feet on the floor,” and “So we close our open wounds.” These lyrics certainly leave a lasting impact.
It is a complex and virtuosic track, but it is not so esoteric that it cannot simply be enjoyed, with catchy melodies and infectious beats. Similarly, the lyrics depict a very relatable emotion – the desire to ‘belong’, something that every human wants – and needs. I also loved the imagery of having to put on a mask to achieve this desire, with the eerie line, “Put my face on once again / Worn and tattered, stretched too thin” – I am sure many of us have experienced trying to act a certain way or be something we’re not in order to fit in. The track is relatable, yet will at the same time leave you impressed by its complexity.
‘Guarantor’ is ideal if you’re looking for something dark and introspective that you can really dig into and enjoy.
Written by Macy Tyrer
