Strangely Alright – Life in 3 (2022)

Almost two years ago, Strangely Alright had us stepping out of the fast pace of the world and allowing ourselves time to find our centre in ‘Maybe If’. A few releases later, they are offering us a slow and drifting journey through being lost and hoping to find the life that we deserve in ‘Life in 3’. Part of a 4-song arc, the single brings retro winds to a contemporary soundscape packed with rich harmonies and the shimmer of psychedelic guitars.

Riding the lush melodics are poetic lyrics that wax about the ways we can get lost while embracing the journey to something better. A really unique sound that has a strange mass market appeal, the single is adventurous in its arrangement as it offers something a little new to break the monotony of modern music. Whimsical, hopeful, experimental and engaging, this song will have you eager to hear the rest of the song arc.

The guitars open ‘Life in 3’ with a really strong flow that has a slight hint of nostalgic familiarity. This push from the guitars wavers into a shimmer of expansive emotion as the melody seems to reach out into the ether, looking for something. This movement perfectly captures the feeling of being lost and not quite knowing which direction to head. While the melody swirls with this lost vibe, there is something that anchors you, shining in the lower levels of the sound. It is a really great rock-influenced melody that brings some familiar touches to a contemporary edge mixing together with a flow that is purely Strangely Alright. The shimmer of the upper levels complements the strong flow of the guitar to place you in a suspended moment as you make a decision regarding the direction you need to take.

The mixture of modern and retro in the melody continues to shine with the vocals. The main vocal line has a delightful classic rock vibe to it before it meets the fantastic harmonies on the chorus. Each element has been masterfully handled by the band and close in around you to draw you into the flow of the track. The lyrics take the suspension felt in the music and give it a bit more body and context. Through the lyrics, you reach a crossroad in life where you feel lost for whatever reason, only to hold on to the hope of achieving the life you always wanted. There are a lot of emotions woven into the vocal performance, from the tentative yearning to a sigh of accepting your lost status.

Using a light brush of retro sounds over their addictive contemporary flows, Strangely Alright have you suspended in a lost moment and wondering which direction to go in ‘Life in 3’. There is an expansive feeling to the melody as it reaches out for something just beyond your fingertips, while suspending you in the feeling of being lost in life. The vocals provide the context for the feeling of the melody, while enhancing the emotions that are first teased by the soundscape.

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