As We Leave - 'Rarely Been So Long'
Hot off their 2020 EP release, this Isle of Wight group are teasing us with a track to get you thinking about this summer.
Cheeky, playful and deliberately provocative, this release is a mix between the classic Americana sound and clever lyricism. When talking about the thought process behind writing this song, the band explain that they wanted to emulate confusion, absurdity and a tale of exasperation. Certainly not your run of the mill summer anthem but after the last few months it feels incredibly timely and well suited to the era we’re living in.
The purposely political lyrics of the track juxtapose against it’s melody; the chord progressions particularly in the chorus are not unlike something you could expect to hear on a warm and chilled afternoon at the Reading Introducing stage, making the lyrics and the overall intent of the song stand out even more. The song really invites the listener to pay attention; the vocals are deliberately muted against the instrumentals and to properly understand what the song is trying to say you have to really listen to it. It brings a whole different layer to engaging with music which often is not seen in the charts.
The musicianship put into this song is given moments to really stand out which is lovely. While the lyrics are what make the song different, the instrumental sections allow the track to breathe. There are really interesting moments when the solo lines really pops out; twangy yet comforting they’re a real compliment to the vocals. The climax of the track when the electric guitar is given the chance to shine is also really effective and brings a really nice and satisfying close to the thoughtful soundscape that the band have worked to convey.
The overall sound and feel of the track is very like what As We Leave have already put out, proving that the spacey yet thoughtful vibe is distinctly theirs. Fans of the band will notice similarities to some of their older releases, ‘Many Faces of You and I’ in particular. For newcomers though, their mellow sound is reminiscent of bands like Blur, Beach House and the La’s. British vulnerability and tongue in cheek meets sun-kissed Americana schmooze. Casual listening brings a lovely accompaniment to a chilled out summer but the more avid fans will notice the references and allusions that can be picked up when you really listen closely.
Words by Kirsty-Ann Thomson
