Modern Folklore is back with the headbanger “City Lights,” which not only hits heads with its hardcore musicality but also peels the shallow surface of the convinced mind that the hope of a better life lies in the big cities.
From Rapid City, an indie rock phenomenon has soared and shined with its members: Dexter Carman on guitar and vocals, Josh Shepperd on guitar and vocals, Kyle Blessing on guitar, synthesizer, violin, and vocals, Patrick Fahey on bass and vocals, and Ed Flammond on drums. The five-piece band presents a killer sound with introspective themes that not many dares discuss.
“City Lights” makes the quintet stay true to the polished line they drew when they released their debut EP, “Vol. 1,” in September; the line that consists of noise, profound writing, bustled rhythms, and passionate performance. It’s four polished minutes that illustrate an unpolished reality.
These guys have a talent for making all the components deliver the message, making the listener see what they’re seeing, feel what they’re feeling, and absorb the notion they have in mind. The song is portraying the fact that we look at the big city and see it shine, fantasizing that we’ll have a high-quality life there, only to move and find out that it’s dazzling from the outside and rusty from the inside. The hustled melody offers the impact of taking a deeper look and finding out it’s just hurly-burly: “It’s not exactly what you wanted.”
The smashing riffs, rousing bassline, stinging synth, and pounding drumming all mingle together to offer the vibrant feeling of the urban city. The ardent, raspy vocal line is such a vibe on its own, and with the noisy rhythm, they make the perfect match to depict an imperfect utopia. The deep lyrics are brilliant as usual! They know how to make each lyric resonate. It’s all realistic and reflective, and it’s hard to be charmed by one and neglect the other, exactly like hypnotic city factors.
They added a revolutionary taste, which is a part of Mario Savio’s “Bodies Upon the Gears” speech, to manifest their idea that the bright reflection was only the machine, the metal machines, and the flashy machines. Are you willing to sell your soul to the devil and be another “in the air” version?
You thought the “City Lights” were your savior, but Modern Folklore has utilized their blatant sound and fiery delivery to tell you that there are “blocking out stars that guide your way.”
