American Football - 'Uncomfortably Numb' feat Hayley Williams
Illinois’ rockers, American Football are no strangers to a comeback. After a short stint jamming around in the late 90’s, they disbanded for nearly fourteen years. Music was never meant to be their full-time thing, but when a generation latches on to your sound, it is hard not to feel a pull back to the scene. American Football have now returned, teasing songs to the follow up of 2016’s American Football (LP2).
‘Uncomfortably Numb’ is dreamy melancholia that is reminiscent of a style of music long forgotten. Throughout the mostly acoustic instrumental, is a xylophonic guitar riff that tinkers away in the background in contrast to the dark lyrics; “I used to struggle with my youth and now I’m used to struggling. I have become uncomfortably numb.” There is reflection, hindsight and longing all wrapped up in the story of ‘Uncomfortably Numb’, which follows the previous single 'Silhouettes' – that contains a whole seven minutes of indie-rock catharsis.
Mike Kinsella’s vocals match perfectly with Hayley Williams, of Paramore, who lends her dulcet tones to the song. Whilst Paramore take some time out, Hayley has stayed busy with her line of vegan and cruelty free hair products, under the name of Good Dye Young. It’s refreshing to see that she isn’t taking a complete hiatus from music, which makes it all the more fitting for her to be featured on the song.
Words by Tyler Damara Kelly
American Football (LP3) is due to be released on March 22nd via Big Scary Monsters.