When coming across Baby Richman as they promoted their upcoming single ‘Shadow on the Wall’, I decided to delve into what they had already released. ‘Lights Down’ is the debut single from the Ottawa indie rock band and is a great introduction to their sound. Drawing on inspiration from acts such as Coldplay, Oasis and The Smashing Pumpkins, they add their own flair to a sound that is sure to sweep you away.
Having apparently started as an afterthought among a collection of discarded voice notes, the glowing instrumentation, harmonisations and melancholic vocals transform this song into something much more than what it started as. It’s not surprising that the single has been gaining traction since its release at the end of May.
The roll of the drums has your head bopping to the sound as the single opens. The guitar that enters has an easy vibe to it that plays off the drums. You can hear the influence of certain bands on the sound, but the movement of the music is infused with something unique to the band. The drums enhance that head bopping and get your feet tapping to their rhythm while the guitars are an easy breeze that sweeps across your skin.
You are easily led deeper into the single by the melodic flows. There is a sophisticated layering to the music that showcases the musicality of the band while filling the soundscape with a rock richness that is utterly captivating. The chorus has this wonderful rise with a rush of sound that takes you to a new level. There is a slight rise and fall to the flow between the verses and chorus that keeps you captivated.
Through the ebb and flow of the music, the vocals and lyrics speak to something in your soul. With an almost poetic flair, the band draw you into a reflection before filling you with a sense of resilience. There is a steady empowerment that comes through the lyrics, but this is tempered by an understanding that we need to ride the waves of everything that comes at us. It is very easy to connect with the song as we have all faced the emotions that are infused into each word.
As the first single from the band, it is a wonderful introduction to their sound while leaving you yearning for more. This is easily a song that you will want to add to your favourite playlist and have on repeat.
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