Lapels – The Life & Times (2022)
Lapels have taken us from engaging yet mundane experiences in ‘Warning Lights’ to the motivation and strength of ‘All Things Down to You’. Now, they are furthering the dimensions of their music with the down-tempo tones of ‘The Life & Times’. Using a downtrodden and weary perspective, the band considers how giving in to bad habits can lead to a destructive lifestyle.
While spiralling into the dark depths of destruction, the single also looks at how choosing to ignore your faults causes this spiral to quicken. The core writing duo of the band shared the responsibility of creating the lyrics of the track, with Nathan Pointon taking over lead vocals. With this approach, the band is showing the depths of their musical skills and letting us know that they are more than what has come before.
The acoustic guitar strums ‘The Life & Times’ to life with a really great down-tempo flow. This opening movement is soft and gentle as it leads you into the track. While there is a touch of weariness to the music, there is also this great forward momentum that makes you feel like things can be good in the future. This hint of feeling is enhanced when the electric guitar enters and the drums shimmy below you. The weariness and downtrodden feeling that comes through in the vocals is lifted as the melody progresses. It is a great combination of a touch of apathy and empowerment that creates a rather heady mixture. Later in the single, the music rises for a burst of vibrant colours and good vibes.
When the vocals enter over the acoustic guitar, there is a Britpop vibe to them that strangely enhances the downtrodden feeling of the delivery. As you are led to the chorus, the lyrics acknowledge the feelings of weariness, but give you the boost you need to see past them. Woven into the empowerment and view of something good coming in the lyrics is an understanding of the spiral that has led you to where you are. There is a light plea in the performance that urges you to look at the bright side of things and understand that changing your bad habits will help you achieve what you want in life.
Lapels turn their attention to downtempo tones as they tackle bad habits and weariness with empowering good vibes in ‘The Life & Times’. The melody moves from a weary acoustic guitar to the building brightness of a better future. This movement is enhanced by the vocals that acknowledge the weariness many people feel, only to provide the boost you need to see the brighter side of life.
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