NOT A PROTOTYPE! - Please Don't Crash

 Description: Please Don’t Crash is not a prototype! With their ingenious sound, the only way to hear this commodity of a band is a live show. Read about an ensemble that is so good they don’t even need music released to connect with listeners.

Please Don’t Crash is a commodity in the scene—they’re valuable in a hidden way, since they have no music out, but I promise by the time you’re finished learning about them through a glimpse of a fan’s eye that fact won’t even matter, because everything about this band is good enough that it stands on its own. Though I could also see it ending in an upset because they are so good you’ll want to listen to them on your own time—at least I do.

While they’re hidden and deserve the exposure, people who know about Please Don’t Crash subsequently are integral parts of the local scene. Bands like this create hubs of safe spaces, because that sense of a commodity naturally creates very punk safe spaces, since most of the crowd is community. If you ever go to a show of a pretty high regarded band the crowd is very unified—in looks and in mind. We are all admiring the art in front of us and the only other band I can compare that feeling to is Burner. If you have ever been to a Burner show you know what I’m talking about—everyone’s pretty much huddled and enjoying, but giving that space of respect because you just have to let them perform their craft for you. Arms crossed, stank face, become one with the music. Basically, if you know, you know.

Hopefully I can try to make this easy to follow as I attempt to explain the fusion of noise, genres and rhythms that shape the sound of Please Don’t Crash. Simply put I think it is ingenious. Most of their songs are instrumental, at least majority instrumental. You might think that’s boring or a prototype but it is genuinely so intentional and put-together you immediately succumb and become enamored.

Their music is melodic but punk, sort of post-hardcore with slowcore elements, but it’s not necessarily slow-paced enough to be constituted as such. They also unexpectedly use metal elements that I think are so impressive. Some parts of their music can seriously be snipped into an edit and all the comments will be “what is that melody??” Because seriously, what is that melody?

Their new addition of a second guitar creates very beautiful harmonies that make the band sound very full. A lot of the melodic parts of their songs lead into a thrasher sound, but it still keeps main riffs tied into it. The beginning riff of ‘Deathblow’ by Deftones is very reminiscent of the type of melodies they come up with, but with a mix of the heaviness—almost grunge-ness and weight that comes with something by Electric Wizard, for example. They also play a lot with rhythms and will go into accelerandos, ritardandos, and back to a tempo, which can take you aback and out of a head-bopping rhythm, but you understand and fall for it right away. Now, everything I just said, note that they are able to simultaneously fuse these sounds together, but their songs vary so much they do them individually as well. I know when put under such analysis descriptions can be seen as meticulous or overwhelming; when you are able to hear it it just makes sense—Please Don’t Crash is utterly captivating and innovative.

When the lead does sing, it adds a kind of emo element to the song, but the vocals are also not clear enough to be something you would consider the average song with lyrics in it—it is sort of just another instrument added to the layers in a way, and I think that is really cool.

A Please Don’t Crash set usually goes as follows: the drummer is not at the drums, but at a pedalboard with a tape recorder: a head-turning intro of reverb, noise, distortion, midwest-emo unintelligible talking, 8-bit horror video game ambiance, a spirit box trying to talk—a preface into wondering where this set will take you. Taking a look at the instruments in their individual aspects, I would love to take the time to elaborate on their sound, as there can never be enough to say. Please Don’t Crash’s bass is super post-hardcore and melodic—a feedback-generator and thrasher—kind of an anchor to the rest of the band but it stands out enough on its own too, because I think it emulates a very unique layer to their sound and I do not think it would be anywhere the same without it. When people say bass is a very hidden integral instrument to bands I think Please Don’t Crash is a great example of that. The guitars’ tones are fuzzy but clear, there are harmonics within chords and between both guitars, and it adds a romantic touch to the types of melodies I’m trying to describe. There’s a lot of switching from strumming, finger-picking and varying tempos between the two so there’s always a lot going on. And I don’t mean to say that in a sense where there is too much going on and it is messy, but rather that they are able to perfectly balance all these complex elements that quite literally melt together. I think I would also describe such a sound as satisfying—the notes blend and melt, and the tempo changes become charming and expected.

The drumming I have a lot to say—it is not the drumming you would expect with the sounds I mentioned, but it is perfection to me and I will just start off by saying Please Don’t Crash’s drummer has some of the coolest style and sheer technique to their playing; I am floored every time. The drumming, as the other instruments do, vary a lot in its dynamics—they are able to switch from very complimentary elements that cater to the rest of the band and is expected in its context, to straight up death metal-esque drumming. The band’s thrashing element definitely comes from its drumming and at least for me, it is one of the most standout parts of their sound. I kind of hate saying unique because it can be such a non-word, but in its most genuine way possible I’d like to describe it that way. They do these crazy thrash and metal sequences, fast double bass kick drumming (forgive me for I know nothing about drums) but also can go kind of mellow and groovy. They have one song where the drummer literally alternates between standing and sitting as a build-up to a breakdown, it is just some of the coolest playing I have ever seen. The drums are so intrinsic and essential, and I think their particular style of drumming is indispensable to Please Don’t Crash. They will start going buck out of nowhere and as a metalhead it just does something to me. If you are someone who never really notices or pays attention to drums, I promise Please Don’t Crash will change your perspective almost immediately.

Call my music taste narrow but I have honestly never heard anything like Please Don’t Crash. They were one of the first bands I saw in the local scene that really made me start analyzing, dissecting and overall think differently towards music. It made me further appreciate community around me; be thankful I can be exposed to talent so close to me, and privileged that I am part of it! I cannot emphasize enough when I truly believe something is innovative and exciting, but also meaningful and passionate and spontaneous.

Please Don’t Crash has not only given and brought out emotions in me as a listener, but community along with it. Nobody in the scene is doing it like this ensemble and from their own integrity are probably too humble to admit it. They are truly innovative in their sound and with the formal talk aside, can someone get them into a studio? This instrumental-and-sometimes-singing quartet is not a prototype, and not a band you want to miss out on. While my interpretation without a reference can be hard to grasp, I think it is all the more reason to go out and see them. The FOMO is valid with these guys. Plus you can brag to the individualism in our society that you are a fan of a band without a Spotify monthly listener count. Give their socials a follow and go support their gigs! Don’t sleep on Please Don’t Crash, support your local music scene!

Check out Please Don't Crash on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/pleasedontcrash/
Support your local music scene!
Not A Prototype is a section where I talk about local bands in the Greater Toronto Area and how their refined sounds aren't just a prototype.

NOT A PROTOTYPE! - Waste Youth

 Description: Waste Youth is not a prototype! Read about this unique punk duo and their ability to be some of the coolest thrashers in the scene.

Picture this: a drummer and a bassist come on stage. You sort of pause and ask yourself, “where’s the rest of the band?” You then see the microphone at the drums and a crazy looking pedalboard for the bass—you realize this is the band. And then the music starts. You start to question where all the layers of noise are coming from and notice it’s probably the first time you’re hearing these instruments being used to their full potential, which is something you don’t come across often. Generally underappreciated, the drums and bass are instruments you tend to see as sort-of carriers within a full ensemble, but Waste Youth is a band that shines a spotlight on them (with some killer vocals alongside it).

Listen, a bit of a corny way to set the scene, but I think it’s kind of an ode to Waste Youth because their marketing is theatrical and silly and it’s just another thing I love about them. I’ll just start off by saying this band will change the way you look at drums, bass, vocals, the range of punk as a genre, and leave an impression on you that you won’t be able to stop thinking about. Waste Youth is not to be undermined—they are a duo that pack a punch and give you some of the coolest garage punk you’ve ever heard with just two instruments and vocals.

Waste Youth somehow does this thing where all elements of their songs go together, but it’s also as if they can be their own songs, a sort-of comedic 3 in 1 but I think it’s really cool. Isolating vocals and both instruments feels like they can exist on their own, but putting it all together just makes all the elements melt together into one performance. Next time you give them a listen try and isolate everything in your head—it’s pretty cool once you hear it. Hearing the music alone without watching them perform also makes you think there’s a full band going on. I know that all sounds contradictory—two instruments that sound isolated, but still go together, but also sound like a full band—what can I say, that’s Waste Youth for you.

Before I get into the music itself I’d love to touch on Waste Youth as a band in all its aspects—marketing being one of them. Their Instagram connects with their audience in a really fun way and I love bands that are able to create a fanbase with a theme attached to it. One of my favourite bands, Avatar, their motto is quite literally that they’re too fun to take things seriously—and I get the same vibe with Waste Youth. But don’t let that fool you, there is still an incredible amount of effort that goes into making a fun persona around your band, and you can tell just from their promotional content, even the most imaginative ideas come to life with this duo.

There is no limit with Waste Youth; get ready for story arcs you’ll want to follow as they come out, costumes, sarcasm, silliness, cryptic messages, and videos to fuel your nightmares. You might also get a threat from the goblin hand to buy their merch (you should). This point is merely to gas them up even more but I think their designs are some of the coolest. Have you seen their stickers? Yeah.

In other words, it’s nothing short of an artform in itself. I think an interesting part of their marketing is that it’s impersonal enough so you can focus on the music, but personal enough to give the band a personality. While marketing and social aspects of bands and music are seen as integral parts of the process, Waste Youth not only puts the fun in it but also demonstrates a further passion for what they do, and I think it’s part of my duty to recognize and put an emphasis on it so you can appreciate it just as much. It is a mistake to overlook efforts of something as seemingly small as an Instagram post because it plays a role in the budget as much as anything else, and as supporters of local scenes it is also part of our jobs to spread the word. Waste Youth gives the perfect formula to strengthen the connections they’ve already made and give the opportunity for us to further share their art.

Waste Youth has completely changed my perspective on the bass as an instrument, and how impressive it is to sing, scream and drum at the same time. I promise you will be mesmerized watching this band if you ever hit up one of their shows. Watching the bassist do their thing is incredible, not only through all the pedals that I don’t even know what each does at this point, but the sheer technique of it all. It is an aspect of the song that is able to be simultaneously hardcore and melodic, clever and witty, and creative and entrancing. Then there’s the drums that make their songs absolute thrashers. Every drum sequence is immediate head-banging material, while the bass is able to keep a melody to compliment it. The drummer also happens to be the vocalist, and while I could go on forever about the technique that comes with doing two complex things at once (and doing them well), they add a texture that makes the songs full and give it character. The bass always creates a colourful layer with its riffs, the drums a thrasher, and the vocals are punk as fuck (I was contemplating the swearing in a formal review but I realized I could totally make the rules here). There aren’t enough descriptions I can make to illustrate the music and its essence. In punk terms: they’re disgusting!

Waste Youth’s live sets will give you seamless transitions in between songs, some really nice moments of appreciation, jokes and an experience. Not to mention seeing huge smiles across the band’s faces, which gives that energy directly back to you in the audience. It isn’t a question whether or not they’re having fun on stage, because they are, the rest is up to you to make your experience as a listener just as exciting. The only rule during a Waste Youth set is to enjoy it as much as they do.

Make sure to add Waste Youth’s latest single “BFF” twice to your playlist because the only thing about it is that I wish it was longer. When I say that Waste Youth is some of the best thrashers in the scene this song utterly captures that element—one listen you’ll wish you were in the middle of a crowd at that moment. It opens up with the activity of the wonderful decorative vase (see, we already have inside jokes) that they were giving away during their promotion of this single, which seamlessly transitions into the drums and the rest of the song. The bass leans more into that hardcore essence it is able to carry, and it’s got these cool breakdowns that happen to mirror the vocals, and drums create the varying dynamics. The screaming in this song really carries and guides it, while I feel like the rest of their discography is steered more by the instruments. Yes: all of this and more happens in under two minutes.

Unreleased singles that can only be found through their live EP Live at the Mule Spinner on Bandcamp, my personal favourites are “Hounds” and “9 Lives.” The melodies just do something to me in those songs, and on top of that they are just so cool to me. These two definitely uncover their cleverness and wittiness. Waste Youth’s riffs can be sort of wacky in a good way. Per a lot of my other pieces, part of music is that there is so much I could explain but not enough until you actually listen to it. It’s unexpected but you end up understanding and falling for it right away.

Waste Youth is humorous and thrilling as much as they are captivating, impressive and inspiring. You might think a duo with two falsely limiting instruments is a prototype, but they are far from one—in all areas. Sometimes you don’t need a ton of profound emotion for a band’s music to connect with you; Waste Youth is one of my favourites in the scene because their emotions are shown with a ton of punk, noise, and… more noise. Their impression on me is long-lasting—no matter how many times I see them I am transported, immersed and floored. With energy as contagious as Waste Youth’s, do not miss the chance to see them if they perform near you!

Check out Waste Youth’s live EP and socials:

https://wasteyouth.bandcamp.com/album/live-at-the-mule-spinner

https://www.instagram.com/wasteyouthband/

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Not A Prototype is a section where I talk about local bands in the Greater Toronto Area and how their refined sounds aren't just a prototype.

NOT A PROTOTYPE! - Mntclr

 Description: Mntclr (Mont-clair) is not a prototype! Read about one of my favourite local bands in the scene and why their sound is so unparalleled. (read time: approx. 5 minutes)

Seriously bet you haven’t heard the fusion of genres that Mntclr creates through their music. Now I know this entire post I’m going to be boasting about how amazing I think this band is and what they have to offer so I’m just going to go off the bat and recognize the bias. Nonetheless I hope you can see the objective analysis of the instruments and music, but I love Mntclr and you should too. 

I couldn’t describe to you how cool I think Mntclr’s sound is. It’s a base of indie rock with elements of this jazzy-folk-indie-math-rock in it that I think is so refined, refreshing and special. They truly have a talent and a gift that not only deserves—but needs to be shown to the world. 

Starting with the band’s vocals, it is filled with technique and character, and the most impressive part is that it’s seamless and sounds especially effortless. The lead’s vocals have a beautiful range with low and high notes and everything in between; moments of belting, vibrato, some of the most interesting runs I’ve ever heard and some of the best songwriting I’ve come across. And when I tell you it comes so naturally you can tell they were meant for this role. Though many songs cover different themes all of them explore their respective motifs through thought-provoking metaphors and profound explorations of it within the lyrics. They’re also written in a really fun and catchy way so once you learn the lyrics, singing along is just as fun as any other band. I know I personally couldn’t write anything near so well-worded enough that it still flows with the music perfectly. 

Every instrument creates a layer in Mntclr’s songs that come together in a distinct but simultaneously unified way. Every single guitar riff goes so damn hard I can’t even make up some well-rounded sentence with fancy words to describe how crazy and technical but fun every guitar lead is. It’s a lot of math rock and cool harmonics, but you’ll also get some odd jazzy parts that you wouldn’t expect. Every song is a journey with loud and quiet elements, ranging dynamics that you’ll want to hear how it changes from beginning to end. From my understanding everything out on their Spotify right now were solely recorded by the two founding members with the now-guitar lead who recorded and mixed every single instrument and that’s just simply insane to me. They now have a full band and I can’t wait to hear what they have in store for the future. I’d like to think I’m pretty well-rounded in music theory in my 12 years of playing instruments and I still can’t understand how bands, particularly Mntclr, come up with melodies so complex yet satisfying. ‘Goodbye, Goodbye,’ ‘Madrid,’ ‘Some are Sweet,’ and ‘Pomegranate’ have some of my favourites from the band and I’d take far too long dissecting each one than just telling you to listen to at least one thing from these guys. 

‘Shaded’ is a track that I think uses all those fusions of genres I had mentioned into one song. It brings in the main riff from the moment it starts and the drums unify it, then the vocals come in and the drums change to a really cool sort of jazzy-folky beat. The singing in this song ranges and uses some layered vocals as well to tie it together. It then hits you with sort of out-of-place unexpected chords that carry through the rest of the song, and soon after the instruments go into a crescendo. The song gives you a pause before hitting you with an eccentric bridge to the end of it and it’s fun, catchy, emotional and a production all at the same time. Other songs like ‘Thrice’ keep a pretty consistent jazzy-feel to it, or ‘Madrid’ which keeps a pretty indie-rock base to it. Every song takes a really unexpected direction but it somehow all flows into a very distinct and refined sound unique to Mntclr. 

While I can go on forever about their self-titled album (2021) and their two singles (2019) I need to talk about their live performance because I recently got the chance to at their Toronto show and I loved every moment of it. But as a last note, per my last local band review (go read!!) another one of my top songs of all time is ‘Goodbye, Goodbye’ by Mntclr. I feel like a lot of people don’t expect their local scene to be any different to things that are more well-known and it stops them from actually incorporating anything in their daily listening rotation; but I feel that’s the whole point. Plus for me, I really get to let people know that their music really makes me feel things. There’s passion in what these smaller bands do and there’s no reason that the passion can’t be shared both ways in an intimate sense like that. Like “hey, I’ve literally cried to your songs!” 

One of my favourite parts about any live show, big or small, is watching the people play their respective instruments. Mntclr’s guitarist and drummer were going absolutely buck during their set. The drumming in Mntclr ranges probably as much as the lead vocals. There’s some really math-rock parts, super jazzy-swift mellow elements and others that carry a really nice beat to accompany and carry the rest of the band. As stated before I know nothing about drums but I can tell you that it sounds seriously good and the drummer is incredibly talented. The basslines in Mntclr’s songs a lot of the time act as an anchor, but when it’s the main melody it always does something really impactful and pungent—it sort of creates a punch in those fragments of different songs. When it shines through it really makes sure it makes its point and I love it, like ‘yeah, this is the bassist’s moment right now, listen to this it’s cool as hell.’

The energy Mntclr brings to their live performances is some of the best you’ll come across. You’re bound to have a good time with these guys because the vibes are all the way up. The crowd was amazing and one of the best parts about it was afterwards I found out the main group having the best time (like seriously, one dude was dripping sweat) didn’t even know anything about the band. It made it that much more fitting to me because I think it proves how special this band is. Every member has great stage presence and it’s some of the most fun I’ve had at a local show. Plus it felt like a little concert to me considering I was singing along the whole time. Definitely don’t miss the chance to see these guys if they’re playing near you. For now, you can check out their Spotify and Bandcamp, and follow them on Instagram!  

Mntclr has seriously brought me a lot of joy and emotions since its beginning and I truly think their sound is timeless, and I will carry their music throughout my lifetime, subsequently attaching more meaning to it. Another unqualified-qualified Prototype stamp of approval. 

https://www.instagram.com/mntclrtheband/

Support your local music scene!
Not A Prototype is a section where I talk about local bands in the Greater Toronto Area and how their refined sounds aren't just a prototype.

NOT A PROTOTYPE! - Weekend Goodbye

Description: Not A Prototype is a section where I talk about local bands in the Greater Toronto Area and how their refined sounds aren't just a prototype. Read about Weekend Goodbye and their unmatched energy! (read time: approx. 5 minutes)

Look no further if you’re looking for a band that simultaneously makes you nostalgic for classic pop punk but still gives you a refreshing take on the genre. Weekend Goodbye is all of that and more. They have guitar leads that make you want to jump, fun basslines that peak through, animative vocals and drums with varying dynamics that tie it all together (I know absolutely nothing about drums, quite honestly they impress me no matter what). You’ll not only find yourself dancing in your room to their music, but relating to lyrics that you won’t be able to get out of your head. And if that’s not enough, they are some of the best performers I’ve seen in the GTA’s local scene. They put on a show—an introduction that makes your head turn to the stage—”who are these guys?” The energy goes up the moment they start to perform, and they connect with the audience in a really unique and engaging way. Even if you went into a local show not knowing them, I promise Weekend Goodbye will end up being one of your highlights of the night. 

Weekend Goodbye is a unit; it’s not a frontman and a band, but best friends having fun and that directly reflects in their performances and music. All their songs are lively and (extremely) catchy, and you’ll want to start singing along even if you don’t know the lyrics (yet). Having fun on stage makes you want to do the same on the floor and they will let you know if you’re not matching their energy—they’re a unit because their audiences are part of it. You won’t be able to look away during their entire set or else you’ll miss their jokes and banter in between, intermission and transition music to the next song, and they always go out with a bang with an outro just as head-turning as their intro. Their fusion of original and inspired genres and their stage presence create an energy that makes you feel you’re at a venue like the Budweiser Stage where you’re all jumping with the crowd; those moments where you’re sharing the experience with other fans and there’s nothing that can replace that moment. Think about the most fun concert you’ve been to: the energy is good, you’re creating memories you won’t forget. It’s the best way I could describe the energy Weekend Goodbye radiates with just a small crowd in a bar. And while I feel unique is sort of a non-word because I want it to mean more than that, I genuinely have not experienced a set like this band’s. There are very few concerts I’ve been to where the performers truly give a live experience of their music rather than just a repeat of the studio version of their song (absolutely nothing wrong with doing so), but when I see musicians creating involvement with intimate moments in a live setting, it makes it really special (and I also end up very impressed). 

I remember the first time I heard Weekend Goodbye’s sound I realized the rather oxymoronic nostalgic but new nature was exactly what was missing from my listening rotation. I am consistently impressed by how engaging and refreshing every new single is and they always deliver. I know I’ll always get the heartbreak and oh-my-god-this-is-so-me verses, the release of emotions in the chorus and a really cool bridge that you expect to create an unexpected turn in the song. And if you haven’t headbanged yet, the last chorus will do that for you. They remind me of old pop punk that I don’t think you really hear anymore, but you still can’t quite put your finger on why it feels oddly familiar since it’s still bright-eyed and modern. The fusion of the genre makes it classic, garage, pop punk, and I think you don’t quite understand the feeling you get from it until you listen. 

Full disclosure, “Hard Luck” was not only my top song of 2020 but it still remains in my top songs of all time. You just simply don’t want this song to end. It hits you with the main riff right away and the bassline creates a really smooth texture in the layers of the instruments. This song’s a thrasher and it keeps you engaged from beginning to end. The bridge’s repetition and build-up makes for a suspenseful but satisfying conclusion when it reaches the last chorus. It's also written around the infamous Toronto venue the Hard Luck Bar which also happens to be one of my favourite venues in the city. And if you didn’t like it enough in its studio version the live version of it goes even harder. Try not to fall down those Hard Luck stairs when you listen to this one (their jokes on stage are way better than mine). 

Their latest single “Make Me Wanna Die” has this really classic sound where the verses contrast the chorus by being sort of talkative and flow with the drums, then you get that sweet loud chorus that’s super fun and makes you sing along right away. A lead guitar comes in the pre-bridge and then the bass takes over during it, while the drums create great contrast between those two parts. It’s got a lot of layered vocals that sounds reminiscent of (don’t make me say it again) classic pop punk where it sounds like everyone’s shouting in the background of the song. Those small nostalgic parts are sort of cheesy in a good way, I think it’s better understood when you hear it to know what I mean (yes this is my plot to get you to listen to them). 

Weekend Goodbye is heartfelt and fun and you naturally end up reflecting the same whether you’re listening to their music or looking up at them on stage (hopefully moshing along). I know I can’t help but love them. Check out their Spotify and if they’re playing near you don’t miss the chance! You will not regret it. Prototype stamp of approval—if I’m qualified enough for that sort of thing. Support your local music scene!

https://www.instagram.com/weekendgoodbye/ 

This was my first local band piece! Expect flash (short) reviews of new singles, live performance reviews, or ones like this: writing on the band as a whole. I hope you can get a glimpse of the Greater Toronto Area’s (GTA) incredible talent through Prototype. Support your local music scene!

The Cure - 4:13 Dream (2008)

 Description: My first album review! Get a glimpse of The Cure's "4:13 Dream" and why I think it's so special.

Highlights - uhh literally all of them. don’t make me choose (Underneath the Stars)

I thought the best way to start this little project was to talk about my favourite album of all time (probably). I’d say “favourite” is a hesitant but sure answer. I know that it’s quite a loaded question to ask a music-lover and I know for most it would be impossible for someone to choose. And don’t get me wrong—I don’t make this my answer based on how much I listen to it, or think it’s the best thing to ever exist, I think I just have so much of my life attached to this album I find it weird to think of anything else in its place. And maybe you want to tell me this is a non-answer for a favourite album because of that reasoning, but I can talk about it all day (and I sort of have milked it as my answer for years so I feel the need to stick to it—but I swear my love for it hasn’t changed even through that).

4:13 Dream covers the typical themes like love and romance, but how this album does it makes all the difference to me. This is an album like no other from The Cure and I hope you can get a glimpse of its art and my love for it through my writing.

The one thing I love about this album and I never shut up about is that 4:13 Dream is not trying to be anything. It’s not trying to say anything groundbreaking—everything you’re listening to is all you need from it. You don’t necessarily need to interpret it to gain anything from it. And maybe for some its lack of anything thought-provoking is a point off, but I think it allows you to be present with the album and enjoy it for what it is.

It’s not trying to be edgy or cool—it’s fun and playful, and has this sort of innocence to it that I don’t think you come across often. It’s genuine and the romance in it is pure and sweet, that sort of love in your honeymoon phase that you don’t want to end, or that long-term love that makes you take a deep breath when you hug the other person. It expresses those feelings not only through its lyrics, but through the music and melody in the instruments. The riffs in ‘The Only One,’ ‘The Reasons Why,’ and ‘Freakshow’ just to name a few are tracks that emphasize the playfulness of the album to me, and I think is sort of a trademark for The Cure. ‘Sirensong’ in particular creates a really hazy but lively atmosphere with its drawn-out high pitched guitar riff and backgrounded layers. (I go stupid for songs that have a dreamy atmosphere). ‘This. Here and Now. With You’ has literal lyrics, but not in a bad way, it just wants you to listen to it as is, and know that the love being talked about just wants this, here and now, with you. Although every track covers the same themes, they all do it in a unique way. You get something out of every song off this album.

4:13 Dream takes these themes that are so prevalent in all types of music, but just has fun with it and doesn’t take itself too seriously. The inventiveness of this album allows you to be present with it and simply listen, nothing more, nothing less.

I would take quite the time if I talked about each individual track, so I will do an ode to the opening track ‘Underneath the Stars’ and ‘The Scream,’ which is a song that I learned to love more throughout the years. 

‘Underneath the Stars’ a 6-minute classic-rock-esque song that is reminiscent of classic Cure songs, but also mixes the style of the band’s later works, such as their self-titled (2004) and Bloodflowers (2000). I find a lot of the other tracks do the same thing and I always urge The Cure fans to take a chance on their later works; their classic sound never left. Me boasting about this track is extremely biased since I think I would probably consider it my favourite song of all time. I know that’s even more of a loaded question to music-lovers, and I know you’re reading this thinking I’m crazy for not even hesitating on my answer. But this song truly makes me feel things no other song has done for me, and that is definitely because of my attachment to it as a whole.

The song is romantic and the lyrics on their own make you want to literally sit underneath the stars with the love of your life and think about all the good things. It’s an ode to being present and looking at a sky with 13 billion years of history.

“Underneath the stars

Aligned

For 13 billion years

The view

It's beautiful

And ours alone tonight”

The first two minutes and 30 seconds of this song is instrumental, and at first you sort of yearn for it to actually start, but once you listen to it a couple times you realize how much you enjoy sitting through the build-up. The verses are broken up with more classic-rock guitar parts in between, and don’t even get me started on the bridge. It’s one of those “I need to listen to this song just for this one part.” The build-up both to it and within the bridge ends the song with you wanting more. ‘Underneath the Stars’ is probably the slowest, longest and most serious song on the album and makes for a great opener to set the scene. It tells you how deep the love being talked about runs, while the rest of the tracks are able to keep that message in a less serious, more “fun” way. With that, ‘The Only One’ comes in with a 180, a bright and bouncy second track.

‘The Scream’ is a weird outlier in the album—it’s a track I always overlooked and it’s definitely one of those things you look at differently every time you revisit it, like a movie you rewatch years apart. ‘The Scream’ has a cool grunge-y build up to it, oddly dark but still—you guessed it—playful. It’s paired with sweet sweet Robert Smith screams that blend in with the instruments. It’s the messiest song off the album with the last minute being layered noise, and a fade to quiet as an ending. It’s a great song that represents a lot of authenticity that I love about The Cure. The messy demos off Three Imaginary Boys (1979) are some of my favourite works, and although this song is different from those it reminds me of everything The Cure represents.

4:13 Dream allows you to appreciate and shuffle each track individually in your playlist, but also seamlessly creates a smooth listen from front to back. If you never took a chance on The Cure’s later works, let 4:13 Dream (2008) be your next listen. Whenever I feel a next chapter in my life is coming I put this album on and it allows me to look back and appreciate a lot of things. Whenever I’m sad, happy, or feel too much of one emotion I can always come back to this album and it never fails to make me feel at peace and be present. I’m sure all of you out there can relate and have that one song or album you can put on and know you’ll enjoy. I almost avoid listening to this album too much so I can always appreciate it. 

4:13 Dream by The Cure is authentic, messy, innocent, full of love, and did I even mention the album cover? The art is beautiful and the little dude with undefined features makes me feel things in itself. While this album is no masterpiece of techniques and innovative ideas or melodies, it’s unique and not meant to be anything other than itself, and I think that makes it real. The Cure doesn’t need to prove anything, and 4:13 Dream is a direct example of their art and what they’re so good at.

This was my first piece! I have a lot of favourites I hope to cover through Prototype, so thank you for taking the time to read if you do! I also chose this as my first piece because I would love to review it again down the line as my writing style develops. If you would like to support my work feel free to share the link!