Capturing the anxieties of the world with soul

Founded in 2021 during the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, duo Child Seat reflects the shifting anxieties of the current era. Their debut album Bad Holiday helps to consolidate the multitude of anxieties in a promising and exciting way. As seasoned professionals, Madeleine Matthews and Josiah Mazzaschi create this full-length LP with a contagious force. Not only does the album authentically reflect the uncertainties plaguing the world, but also it creates a sound so undeniably soulful in its aesthetic.

From the first chords of the first track “If This Is The End,” listeners connect to the music. The repetitive chorus continues to fester throughout the entire song as if a wound that only grows larger with more contemplation. It’s nearly impossible not to identify with the intense belts. The bassline melds perfectly with the vocal performances, creating a track that so succinctly sums up the album’s rather tongue-in-cheek title, referencing the COVID-19 lockdown in early 2020.

Following tracks such as “Fever Dream” and “Off With a Bang” have a faster pace. Even with the darker subject matter, there is a delicate balance within the instrumentals. A push-and-pull drive with a pop-like sensibility, Child Seat knows how to create music that one cannot help but fall in love with it. One of the strongest parts of the record is its strong production that follows throughout, really showcasing Mazzaschi’s producing credits.

Compare these songs such as “Oh Anyways,” which follows more of a pop-rock ballad style rather than the rock-leaning sensibilities of the earlier parts of the record. In a soft, dreamlike chorus, there seems to be an appreciation for the softer aesthetic. The range of this song should be applauded for its divergence from the rest of the album but is a necessary component for the darker themes that prevail throughout the album.

One of the strongest examples of Child Seat’s chemistry is “Talk to Me.” The punctuated, choppy lyrics complement the driving bassline in a way that inherently shows their connection as artists. The fact that this record was made remotely makes this even more impressive. It seems that they are bouncing off of one another as if they were sharing one vision, so lovingly depicting their shared frustrations with the future.

Closing the record is the title track “Bad Holiday,” which has the most shining production of the album. In gleaming guitar chords, the elongated introduction really lets the duo’s instrumental prowess shine in a way that tops all other performances on the record. In a brooding performance, the conclusion embraces the contradictions that come from the pandemic. The song undeniably provides a bridge for the overarching themes of the album. It is a satisfying closure that makes the listeners hope for more work from Child Seat in the future.