Sons of the Descent – Salaryman (2021)
Sons of the Descent are diverging from their usual upbeat and driven sound for ‘Salaryman’. This down-tempo track is a melancholic consideration of loss, love and redemption. While different to their usual fare, the band brings tender vocals to a quirky electronic pulse, coupled with languid guitar lines. The poignant and impactful track not only touches on a number of important topics, but it also showcases the versatility of the band’s sound.
Swinging the musical talents of Ian White (guitar), Hugh Duggie (vocals) and Stephen Evans (keys) into something new, the single brings a new edge to their shoegaze sound. While the pandemic threw a spanner in the works of their live profile, they spent the time releasing lockdown versions of their old singles. As the world opens up, they are bringing new sounds to our ears and showcasing a slightly more mature music tone.
‘Salaryman’ catches your attention with the retro pulses of upbeat electronic tones. There is a very 80s vibe to the electronic notes that are brought to ground by the wash of higher twinkling tones. These tones cascade through the soundscape, before the guitar tries to lighten the mood and rise into the air. It is a unique approach that layers the different melodic lines in a rather quirky manner. Some of the lines are light and almost carefree, while others are sombre and well grounded. They all come together to lead you through the single and you will be shocked when the track comes to an end because you really get into the music.
While the layered melody effortlessly draws you into the track, Duggie’s vocals are melancholic. He considers the emotional impact of loss and feelings of a lack of self-worth. It is a really emotional vocal performance that is made more impressive and poignant with the movement of the music. As you listen, you are filled with a story of someone trying, only to be knocked back down and feeling that they should not try to pick themselves up again. While there is a question of whether they should try again, you feel that there is a thread of potential redemption waiting for them to grab onto.
Sons of the Descent keep you enthralled through the layered melody and melancholic vocals of ‘Salaryman’. The mixture of retro synths and quirky movements in the melody bolster the emotive power of the vocals. As they fill you with melancholy and the question of whether it is worth fighting, the vocals feel like they are a hair’s breadth away from redemption.
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