‘Addicted to Love’ might be one of the most complete pieces of pop rock that I’ve had the pleasure of listening to all year long. A piece of commendable melodic and harmonic richness, Split Second’s latest single is exquisitely colorful.
The indie 4-piece, based in the UK, is spearheaded by exceptionally gifted teens Ava Hackett, Jack Barnett, Louiz Jephcott, and Levi Husbands, on vocals, drums, bass, and guitars/songwriting, respectively. ‘Addicted to Love’ is the title of the band’s latest single, as well as their first with that completed lineup. A fantastic piece of songwriting, ‘Addicted to Love’ is insanely sweet to the senses. An instrumental barrage, a lyrical showcase, and a display of Husbands’s brilliant ear for melodies and chord sequences, Split Second’s latest single is an all-around great piece of music.
Bridging gaps between pop ballads and rock anthems, ‘Addicted to Love’ is a song about the thrill of love and the pain of heartbreak in its core. Musically, the song’s organic instrumental palette lends the song a feeling that’s akin to the music of REM or No Doubt, especially with the piercing clean rhythm guitar picking going throughout the song. While Hackett’s melodies are wonderfully controlled, her challenging belts are delivered effortlessly, and her emotions are easily sensed. Perhaps the most outstanding aspect of ‘Addicted to Love’ is its poignant songwriting. The song’s few chord progressions are all distinctly colored and equally memorable, with nuanced vocal melodies to go with each one. With a pre-chorus that toys with borrowing chords from the relative minor scale to a chorus that makes a statement with its major fifth and all the sense of drama it brings, ‘Addicted to Love’ is a sophisticated piece of pop songwriting.
There are not many ways to express that Split Second’s latest single is a truly lovely piece of songwriting wrapped in fantastic, solid, and controlled performances. Split Second are so close to winning out in 2024, just a handful of days before it ends.
