Carbon Leaf – Backmask 1983 (2024)
Originally formed in 1992 as a college cover band, Carbon Leaf has entertained the masses for over 30 years. Yep, I can’t believe ’92 was so long ago – long enough to be considered vintage nowadays – but here we are, and Carbon Leaf is still going strong. Over the years, the US-based group have released numerous charting albums, toured with the likes of the Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer and Jason Mraz, become the first unsigned band to perform at the American Music Awards, and won several songwriting awards… and they just keep on going. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Backmask 1983’.
The first single released in two years, ‘Backmask 1983’ captures the essence of that age-old phrase: “Back in my day…” Raised in a pre-Internet era, a time void of social media and smartphones, Carbon Leaf has insight into the ease and simplicity of not being online at every moment; however, there is also a reflection on the constant need for change as the world develops technologically. Speaking about ‘Backmask 1983’, frontman Barry Privett explains:
“It’s about embracing not just the mystery, but the want, the desire, the need to still believe – something that can get harder and more challenging as one ages… ‘Backmask 1983’ straddles that world in between where you want to keep hold of those pieces that made you who you are, but you also have these new unfamiliar forces you want to embrace. This song was Carbon Leaf’s way of articulating some of that crossover.”
Taken from their highly anticipated upcoming album Time Is The Playground, ‘Backmask 1983’ fuses contemporary indie-rock tones with nostalgic 90s pop-rock marrying the theme of past and present melodically as well as lyrically. Drawing together the musical stylings of musicians Terry Clark, Barry Privett, Jon Markel, and Jesse Humphry, Carbon Leaf push listeners into a sonic whirlpool with the new single.
Pushed from pillar to post, the kaleidoscopic music whips you about teetering on the brink of chaos. With bright colours, the bold bass matches pounding drums while searing guitars flash through in their hard-hitting crash of sound. For me, however, it is the rich vocals that act as an anchor holding your hand as you face the full force of their music. Mad and wild but with soothing elegance, ‘Backmask 1983’ is a tribute to change in an ever-evolving world.
Find out more about Carbon Leaf on their official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
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