Fox Reviews Rock

Introduction

The Nightswimmers, a rising alt-rock band from the North of England, strive for nothing but perfection in their music. Having already collaborated with the likes of “Molly Rymer” and “The Kaleidoscopes,” it’s fair to say others in the industry love their sound!

Speaking of their sound, it incorporates harmonies, electrifying guitar riffs, and retro synthesizers that take you back a decade or two! Showing no signs of slowing down, their live performances continue to impress. Gathering a rapidly growing loyal fan base, and with over 100,000 streams already, today we review their latest single “Birdcage,” which is sure to elevate the band even higher!

Review

The track kicks off right away with those retro synthesizers that I adore, giving you a sensation of being transported up into a space ship, which is really awesome. Then, it smoothly transitions into some complex guitar picking, showcasing the meticulous attention to detail in this part – incredibly refined! The fast-paced yet deliberate drumming that comes next adds another dimension to the already masterfully crafted layers by the band.

The vocal delivery begins in a calm yet descriptive style, almost as if the singer is narrating a story, creating an inviting but also intriguing atmosphere. The metaphor of feeling trapped is quickly introduced into the song with the following line;

“Its only you and me pretending to be free”.

I’m certain this will resonate with many who feel confined by various aspects of life, whether it’s a job, a toxic relationship, or just unfortunate circumstances. A special nod is needed here for the little extra emphasis on the drums towards the end of the first verse!

The vocal intensity increases in the chorus, giving the song its much-needed alt-rock feel, especially with the heavier drums. I think the chorus, in general, needed to be slightly heavier than the verses purely to make it memorable and to grab the listeners’ attention. What I find interesting is that the chorus uses the same guitar from earlier in the songs, adding a layer of continuity that other songs lack. I especially love the vocal harmonies on “In your birdcage”.

“Can you hear the sound?

It’s shaking beneath the ground up to the clouds

A sign only demons allowed and feel the rage

In your bird cage”

The sudden shift to a higher range of singing caught me off guard. I’m not entirely convinced of its effectiveness. However, the soft, almost whispered chorus around the 2:57 mark truly shines. It’s like a stroke of genius that compels the listener to pay even closer attention to the band’s message.

It took me a moment to place where I had heard something similar before, but then it hit me – it’s reminiscent of Billy Talent’s “Devil In A Midnight Mass” that had a similar impact on me and likely many others.

Both songs feature a moment where the instruments fade away, allowing the intricate vocals to take center stage. In this instance, it serves as a perfect contrast to the following chorus, which is back up to its full pace. Excellent job!

Overview

Packed full of melodies, harmonies, and energy! Fantastic drums and skilful guitar work from the get-go! To take it to the next level, I think it needs more of that synthesizer and fewer high notes. Overall though this track is pretty damn cool!

7.5/10

All the videos, songs, used in this review belong to their respective owners and I or this website does not claim any right over them. Photos were provided by The Nightswimmers , and taken by Ciaran Wils.