Xavier Bernazard – Restart (2022)
Influenced by the likes of My Chemical Romance, Paramore, Panic! At The Disco and Evanescence, Xavier Bernazard’s music has a flair for the dramatic in his strong alternative rock meets pop-punk sound. As the group was formed in 2020 (give or take a year) when Bernazard began working with producer, mixing engineer and drummer Nathan McCord, Xavier Bernazard can be considered a relative newbie in the music industry. However, while the band seems rather young, they are not ones to sit on their laurels and have already received coverage from Rising Artist Blog, Sinusoidal Music, Less Than 1000 Followers and various playlists. The latest addition to the group’s discography is ‘Restart’.
Following the single ‘Enemy’, Bernazard (vocals), McCord (drums), Alex Hodge (bass) and Fox DeVaughn (guitar) tip you into a sonic whirlpool with their single ‘Restart’. An eclectic song, the melodic arrangement showcases versatility and innovation as artists with effortless transitions from alt-rock to pop-punk and pop-rock. Bold guitars meld with pounding drums in a heart-stopping, hard-hitting ballad with a tinge of melodic metal in the mix. Yet, while the melody is quite heavy, Bernazard’s vocals are rich, warm and tender bringing a strong intimacy to the kaleidoscopic soundscape.
Xavier Bernazard notes My Chemical Romance as an influence, and this can definitely be heard in ‘Restart’. I am not saying we should compare Xavier Bernazard to My Chemical Romance as each has a distinct sound; however, the obscurity and eclecticism heard in ‘Restart’ leans toward My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade era. Bernazard explains that the track “…expresses the difficulty of life and the yearning to start over. It acknowledges friends and family that have been lost over the years and wanting to go back to simpler times…”
Intensely intimate, ‘Restart’ explores human fragility in a delicate way. What I love about the track is how it has a dramatic rock flavour, but there is also a soft, soothing flow in its rich melody. Heartfelt, tender and all-encompassing, the passionate melody and vocal execution show sophistication in a raw tune.
For more from Xavier Bernazard check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
