Seatbelts for Aeroplanes [Review].
Energy can't be created right? Wrong.
Brand New Friend are a band who not only create catchy songs, pop hooks and relatable lyrics - but create an overall energy and buzz surrounding their music. They have recently released their debut album and it's got everyone feeling young again. There is an urgency and adrenaline to the songs echoing the vibrancy of youth and the frustrations of unrequited love. It's a soundtrack for teenage angst and explores both honeymoon phase love and the moral dilemmas that later come with relationships. The kinetic energy is contagious and their moto is all about just having fun and going for it no matter what the odds.
They're "projecting mirrors of smiles and of fake confidence", but they are certainly not mediocre at best. However this is in fact the name of their opening song on the album which plays about with the theme of wanting the best for a love interest, claiming "I go out of my way to make you feel at home". The lyrics are endearing and it sets off the album, trailblazing enthusiasm and spirit. Both the song and the album start with a crunchy bass riff that punches the listener in the face, "in a friendly way". The album is the soundtrack to summer and spring and has a sense of nostalgia already.
Title track 'Seatbelts for Aeroplanes' opens with a catchy synth riff that sums up the melodic material of the album. Most memorably is the poetic chorus "come on call me a taxi and have it drop me at your feet".
In case you were wondering where the name 'Seatbelts for Aeroplanes' came from, frontman Taylor claims it was the result of a conversation with his younger brother who asked what the point of seatbelts on a plane was if they would just crash and burn anyway. Even though there are holes in this theory, the idea becomes a metaphor on this album, playing around with the theme of love being a "seatbelt" - it's more for making us feel safe than for actual safety.'I Was an Astronaut' is revisited from their 2016 EP American Wives in a heavier, more passionate manner. It shows how much the band have grown and developed throughout the years. At the Black Box gig, the night after the album was released, Taylor claimed the band was just like Leister City football team - "nobody thought we would make it but we did!" They still can't believe their luck sometimes, Taylor saying that most of the people watching their gigs were in bands that he had interviewed before for blogs and radio. Anyone who's seen Brand New Friend from the beginning will definitely agree that in fact we all did think and know they would make it.
"Nobody thought we would make it but we did!"
There are moments of urgency and bursts of energy with Ramones inspired songs 'Slow' and 'Girl'. 'Slow', contrary to the title, is a fast song retelling the story of a woman who has worked at a job for 20 years and is now looking for a new lease of life. The powerful driven nature of the song conveys the fear of running out of time before you complete your most fulfilling life and this song is perhaps a lesson. It describes what the band are all about, just going for your dreams no matter who tells you it's impossible - "The ethos is our band is just try, even if you fail it doesn't matter". 'Girl' is 500 days of summer inspired with lyrics describing a manic pixie dream girl who can't live up to expectations. It's a ballad for "Joni", an imagined fantasy girl who gives an unattainable vision of fleeting fiction.
There are many overlapping themes between the songs and other bands, including references to Neutral Milk Hotel and The Streets. Even though Brand New Friend are heavily inspired by and resemble other bands, they stick out from the rest as a band all about community and friendship. It is clear to see that people put a lot of emotional weight into their songs, friends sharing experiences. Whether it's dancing in bars or dizzy in the backseat, the songs make you want to freeze time; keep your youth in a time capsule. As a frontman, Taylor lets the emotions stream into the strum of his guitar, collapsing into the music and letting all the pain out. They're a band that can soundtrack your months, define and measure the time. It's nice I think, that life can be measured, divided by art.
The album ends with 'Cold', my favourite song they play live. The song starts with distorted guitars, riling up to the synth introduction. It conveys conflicting feelings and Nirvana angst, "hating it all, waiting to fall".
At the end of 'Cold', you are left with the guitar ringing in your ears, wanting more.
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