Superbloom – Smile (2022)
With their single ‘Paper & Stone’, Superbloom drew us into their elegant traversing of rock and blues, while touching on societal expectations. Their latest release ‘Smile’, dives into hard rock sensibilities with an abundance of rhythmic curves and progressive riffs. One of their heavier singles, they showcase unorthodox movements and technical prowess after the versatility of their previous releases.
One of the first songs they wrote together, the single was a challenge and test that has turned into an extremely engaging rock single. While their ability to merge sounds has been on full display before, Robert James and Sam Lidington are unleashing their progressive influences in this track. With momentum building around their music, the duo are easily moving from strength to strength before the release of their debut album.
‘Smile’ hits you with the rocking guitars and drums from the first second. There is a building feeling to the opening melodic movement as the guitars ride the waves created by the drums. There are different guitar lines that slip and slide against each other to form the serpentine flow of the melody. The drums form the path the guitars walk down and both drop to allow a whispered confession. After the confession, the slide of the music picks up sending you back into the undulation of the single. Later, there is a pulse of guitars that tap against the back of your brain. You can hear the different progressive influences in the melody as the guitars and drums move from one engaging sound to another. While hooking you to the movement, there is a light feeling of not quite knowing what will happen next, but enjoying every unorthodox movement.
As the melody thrusts you into the serpentine movement, James’ vocals call to you like a beacon of light in the distance. The backing vocals push the main vocal line higher, while adding a feeling of not being alone in what you are feeling. When the music drops for the delicately whispered confession, the lyrics pull you into the cyclical experience of the track. The lyrics are a beautiful depiction of spiralling into your own emotions and experiences without realising that you have become addicted to the feeling of this. This is brought to a really catchy life through the chorus that you will want to shout out with the band.
Superbloom get you addicted to the spiral of emotion and catchy yet unorthodox melodic movements that is ‘Smile’. The melody offers a serpentine slither that leads you down the path of the drums. The vocals bring the fall into addictive emotions and the cyclical spiral this creates to life with a delivery that has you singing along.
Find out more about Superbloom on their Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
