Say it with me. Pop👏Punk👏Is👏Not👏Dead👏. Bands like Hungover are keeping the spirit well and alive with songs like “Shake It Off“.
From the top, a filter sweep sets the tone and engages the listener with excitement and anticipation for the jam to come. A classically pop-punk whole step guitar riff brings in the wall of bouncy sound. Soon after, the infectious, Coheed and Cambria-esque vocals join the ensemble with a piercing and perfectly-fit high tenor.
From that point forward, we are on a ride of switching times from half to double to dance. This makes for a constantly engaging and groovy feel that is well decorated by multilayered guitar harmonies, bass, and punchy drums. Seriously, the drums smack in this song. I ~felt~ those lovely sub-harmonics of in my AirPods. Maybe not good for my eardrums but great for my energy.
“Shake It Off” centers around the theme of pushing through the trials in a relationship instead of abandoning it altogether. “We need to shake it off, not break it off” is the lyric of the hook that really resonates. Whether that’s due to the catchy melody of it or the lyrical poignancy of it or both (it’s both), it’s a moving, emotional lyric that is wrapped in a candy-sweet pop punk chorus.
Shut up and dance, hug your honey, and let loose to some pop-punk. Listen to “Shake It Off“.
