The Darcys capture all that is going on inside on ‘Rendering Feelings’

Recommended Tracks: “Talking,” “Can’t Be Absolutely Sure,” “Everything I Ever Wanted”
Artists You Might Like: Weathers, Arkells, Hippo Campus

There are so many ways to express yourself, from writing down the thoughts in your head to simply stating how you feel to someone else. And with so much going on in the world, it is almost necessary to release what you are thinking and feeling on a daily basis – never hold it in. For alt-rock duo The Darcys, they are able to best express themselves through music, using the lyrics and the melodies to capture all that goes on inside. They serve as relatable friends who don’t have it all figured out just yet, which they impart on their new album, Rendering Feelings. Whether they felt lost, needed help, took a chance, or became vulnerable, they describe it all on this album, opening up to listeners who might be feeling the same way.

The Darcys place us in the midst of confusing, deceptive times on the first part of the album. After stating that things will be “coming, crashing down” on “Dreaming,” which opens the album, they try to blow off some steam on “I’m Starting to Think I’m Bad at Parties.” The fast-paced track fills us with a sense of urgency, feeding into the hopelessness that we heard on “Dreaming.” Still, there is also a desire to put all doubts and responsibilities aside, as we get lyrics like, “You and me / We’re the same way, aren’t we? / You tell me the answer to the question on my mind / Hands up, hands high / If you don’t feel like feeling lonely tonight.” It sets us up for “Trouble Found Me,” which follows. This alt-rock anthem serves to both comfort those out there who feel lost and validate those who take chances in life. Over the enticing bass riffs that adorn the track, we hear, ““I tried to blame it on fate / I did it for the kicks / Yeah, I did it anyway” and “It’s what I was / Looking for / I guess I could / Use some more,” the poised vocals giving off an unapologetic tone. By the time we get to “1986,” which drops the title of the album in its lyrics, the vibe of the album begins to shift.

The previous tracks suggest a defeated, tired sort of outlook on life, but that all changes towards the middle of the album. On “Talking,” The Darcys become a little more vulnerable as they try to connect with someone. The track takes on a pop groove with the guitar-driven choruses and mellow verses, allowing the vocals to shine and that connection to come through. This moment leads to a much bigger breakthrough on “Running For The Hills,” where The Darcys head out west to start anew. It’s an encouraging listen, as lines like, “I’m trading in this life / Before I lose my chance to make it right” and “I’ve wasted so much time / Thinking things were going to change / And no matter what I tried / They always seem to stay the same,” would motivate anyone to go after what they want. But, The Darcys warn that change comes with a price, as we hear on “Can’t Be Absolutely Sure.” It’s propulsive and impatient, as if the problem needs to be addressed right away. While they don’t know if this will fix the issue described in the track, The Darcys still suggest, “So come to California, we can give this a try,” hoping to make amends.

The final few songs on Rendering Feelings are self-assured and honest, as The Darcys come into their own. While “Washed Away” deals with that feeling of being stuck or trapped, it also consoles the listener with lines like, “If you sink low / You’ll never have to be alone / I want you to know / That I’ve been there before / And I’ll pull you out.” Meanwhile, “Demons” is a little less empathetic, but still emotional. It touches on a make it or break it point in a relationship, with lyrics like, “I got my demons, and you’re no saint / I don’t need a reason to walk away / We both know the truth is hard to take.” Here, The Darcys are more confrontational than evasive about their problems, which is different from the mood on the first part of the album. The closing track, “Everything I Ever Wanted,” plays out like both an apology letter and a love letter to someone special. The electric guitar-driven track proposes a need to be with someone, proposing that this person is “everything I ever wanted.” It acknowledges the faults of the past in lines like, “It’s the king of self-sabotage” and “I think I’ve just been too exhausted,” and leaves everything out in the open. Even though we don’t get too much closure from the track, it is a solid way to finish the album, reminding listeners that it is always important to express yourself.

All in all, Rendering Feelings is The Darcys’ way of sharing who they are and the moments they’ve experienced. They give us songs that are every bit as complicated as they are, whether it’s a hyped-up track that reflects feelings of confusion and defeat to songs that are slower and more on the vulnerable side. We all don’t know the answers to life or have everything figured out, but we can still try to do our best to make the most of what we have going on. And if we render our feelings in the process, we can show others that it is okay to do the same.