Blueprint Tokyo – Stand and Deliver (2023)
Known for their explorative, insightful and moving themes trapped in magical melodies, US-based Blueprint Tokyo is unafraid to tackle profound topics through poetic lyricism. In ‘Say Anything’, the duo oscillated between the dark and light of life, and in ‘LaRusso’ drew hopefulness from a mire of melancholy. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Stand and Deliver’.
Following their well-received single ‘Slow Days’, ‘Stand and Deliver’ taps into the realm of relationships. Seemingly simple on the surface, building relationships can appear a light-hearted affair; however, as one delves deeper into the source of a romance, intricacy and complexity exist. When speaking about ‘Stand and Deliver’, band member Kevin Dawson explains:
“It’s all about looking within…. We have relationships on the surface but end up longing for something more profound. It’s easier to have those types of relationships when we’re young, but as we age, we become more guarded about our feelings.”
When we left Dawson and Andy Hale review-wise, they brought nostalgic flairs of indie-pop to ears with Cinema Sounds; however, they continued their constant evolution in 2023. ‘Slow Days’ found a grittier side to their indie-pop tone lilted with indie-rock sensibilities – ‘Stand and Deliver’ appears to follow this journey…then again, not quite. Adopting the soft piano ballad style seen in ‘Say Anything’, a gentle soothing filters through with an acoustic flair. The movement between pop sweetness in the intro to a crescendo of bold guitar and drums, then back to a simplistic tender indie-pop tone has us on a rollercoaster of rhythmic sound.
Showcasing their diversity and innovation as artists and songwriters, ‘Stand and Deliver’ elegantly aligns with the emotional rise and fall. We find joviality and warmth in the “honeymoon phase” of a relationship; however, as the indie-rock grittiness breaks through we enter the “hmmm, this might not be the best relationship” stage. Finally, a profound acceptance of desires and needs slips out with a hopeful piano carrying you away.
In addition to the single, Blueprint Tokyo released two music videos for ‘Stand and Deliver’. You can view them below or via Blueprint Tokyo’s YouTube channel. Please note that these videos have lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
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Find out more about Blueprint Tokyo on their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
