Recommended Tracks: “Chin Up”, “BOIL”
Artists You May Like: Fontaines D.C., The Vaccines, Rise Against
The music industry has seen its fair share of quarantine projects these past couple of years. Spending more time at home and less time on the road, artists were able to focus their energy on new music when the COVID-19 first started, with some still putting finishing touches on this music today. We have heard a lot of their thoughts and observations through new albums, EPs, and singles, but we have yet to really hear the pent-up emotions going on underneath. On Forty Feet Tall’s latest EP, BOIL, the post-punk band truly express the tension, the rage they felt while being trapped inside, giving us a project that knows no limits.
The tracks that make up BOIL take us to undefined places, leaving us to complete these narratives on our own. Opening track “Big Red Bus,” give us just enough details to picture this big, colorful vehicle and all it represents without giving too much away. There is also the driving “Nic Cage,” which uses forward-moving grooves to set the tone for those who “just wanna talk about Nic Cage all night.” These tracks depict the spontaneity and uncertainty felt during these times, as directly addressed on “Chin Up.” This track criticizes those who seem to have a hold on dealing with random situations, with lead vocalist Cole Gann sarcastically exclaiming, “So tell me how to feel right now.”
The final two tracks on BOIL, which have been previously released, make it clear that Forty Feet Tall will not be told how to act. Using peppy choruses and crisp verses, the band harness a bit of hysteria on “On & On & On,” taking us into complete chaos – especially with the mix of crashing cymbals and screams at the end. It all leads up to the title track, which closes the EP. Over distorted guitar, Cole shouts, “He thinks you want him ‘cause you laughed at his joke / He thinks you need him ‘cause you said ‘Good Day’ / He thinks you love him ‘cause you accepted a ride,” the sense of urgency escalating with each word. Boiling point reached.
In the end, BOIL is a strong collection of emotions – not just music and lyrics. The band’s use of elements like zippy riffs, fuzzy instrumentals, ominous voiceovers, and tempo changes give each track a certain character, one that cannot be expressed through words in a verse or a vocal line alone. These details also keep these songs alive, making each song a creative and engaging listen as we try to figure out just where it will go next. Overall, Forty Feet Tall give us feelings on this EP that are complex and hard to define, and hearing them represented on the project makes all the difference.
You can listen to BOIL on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Keep up with Forty Feet Tall: Instagram // Twitter // Facebook // YouTube // TikTok // Website
