Bankston – Strike Out (2022)
At age 13, singer-songwriter Bankston began writing music as a kid in Los Angeles. Since then, his music has evolved, progressed and now he produces original material as well as writing them. This is my introduction to Bankston, but he is already featured on numerous playlists since his first single ‘Creepin’ (released in 2020). Come with me as I learn about this talented US-based musician with his latest single ‘Strike Out’.
Influenced by the likes of Blink 182 and Taking Back Sunday, Bankston’s music has a strong classic pop-punk style, particularly the new single. Yet, he is no copycat by any means and fuses pop-rock and pop-punk together to create a unique sound. In ‘Strike Out’ Bankston blends bold guitars, pounding drums and his rich vocals in an upbeat, energetic arrangement. Interestingly enough, while each element comes together in a united whole it still retains prominence in the well-textured soundscape.
While the melody can appease any pop-punk fan with its energetic, high-paced style, Bankston showcases his innovation in the poetic lyricism. Touching on vulnerability, angst, despair and loss, ‘Strike Out’ speaks about the “distance between two people who used to be very close…” Bankston explains that the track appears to be about a romantic connection in the first verse but “is actually about a family member that I was unable to speak to before they died.” Unfortunately, over the past two years of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, this experience is far too relatable to people across the globe.
Despite the upbeat and buoyant nature of ‘Strike Out’, Bankston shows a sincere juxtaposition with vulnerable, poignant lyrics. Powerful and sentimental, he exposes human fragility through this personal narrative touching the hearts of all listeners – or at least this one.
For more from Bankston check out his official website, Instagram and Spotify.
