Cult-loved Scottish rock band, The Vaselines, release a new song off their upcoming album that sounds just like the end of summer.
The Scottish band’s sound is self-described as “winsome sweetness, a touch of melancholy and a lithe, libidinous drive that recalls all the best, coolest rock and roll.” That’s a lot to pack into any song, but “High Tide Low Tide” manages to do just that. It’s no wonder Nirvana loved them- they’re catchy and put a new, slightly punkier, spin on classic sounds.
The song starts off on a decidedly high note. It’s upbeat and loud, a classic summer driving song. The kind you hope starts playing just as the light turns green. The “ba-ba-ba’s” are old-school and lead into Eugene Kelly’s smooth, talk-y kind of vocals that classic rock is known for. The chorus has some great harmonization with Frances McKee’s airy voice (I love when you can hear parts distinctly and pick which one to sing with). With its simple rhymes and back-and-forth melodic structure, the chorus certainly fits the tide theme of the song. Kelly himself said he wanted the music to “just get into people’s ear really straight away, and then get out of there really quickly.” It’s in-line with the short tracks that the new album, V for Vaselines, is supposed to have; “High Tide Low Tide” cycles in and out, gets stuck in your head, and then it’s done.
Musically, it’s very similar in terms of repetitiveness (in vocals and background music) as their first single off the new album, “One Lost Year.” But this bouncy track still retains the “punk rock” feeling the band said the new album would feature.
The Glasgow band will release V for Vaselines, the first in album four years, next month.
Leave a Comment