Blonde Bones are Nashville natives, though I wouldn’t have guessed by their synth heavy, psych-pop inspired music. However, I suppose any sound can belong to Music City. During my first visit, I attended a Tame Impala concert at Ascend amphitheater, Nashville’s waterfront jewel. Learning about Blonde Bones’ origins and enjoying the colors in “New Animals,” which are reminiscent of Tame Impala’s kaleidoscopic sound, has brought this fond memory to mind. If you haven’t visited Nashville, it has a distinct charm and vibrancy, as well as a grittiness to it. But ultimately, the city breathes music. While curtains eventually closed on hazy pink smoke and bass-driven grooves, the concert did not end until I stepped foot in my Airbnb, my head still ringing from the earworm that is Nashville nightlife.
I’m rambling about this because “New Animals” reminds me of all the good parts of this venture, and I can clearly picture Blonde Bones carrying the kind of crowd that attends Bonnaroo – a Tennessee festival that embraces “community, creativity, and positive influence.” Their playful and optimistic lyrics bring even more life to the melody’s undeniable catchiness. Not straying far from their roots, the track’s subtle twang separates it from adjacent indie-pop works. That’s not to say I don’t love the sparkling synths and danceable quality – but there’s an essence to this song that feels distinctly warm and inviting.
Let’s pour another glass of wine
Til our eyes take on a little shine
Cause no one ever really dies when they’re on my mind
I can almost hear frontman Christian Barnett smiling as he delivers this lyric, perhaps because this line fills you up with a lightness and sense of ease. This sentiment reminds me of Corinna Bailey Rae’s iconic “Put Your Records On,” as it conveys a similar reverence for pleasure in the simple things. From what I’ve gathered, that’s what “New Animals” is all about – a carefree homage to life. The song embraces the cyclical nature of time and celebrates the magic of just being here.
We could be new animals
If we want to
Do we want to?
While the chorus does not feature the kind of intricate storytelling that characterizes the verses, I believe its simplicity conveys the most heart. Here, “New Animals” offers a spirited approach to change – one that commemorates it as an opportunity for rebirth. To me, it sounds like Barnett is saying, “life will go on anyway, moving with it to fully experience its joys is up to you.” Newness can often elicit fear, even if part of you is dying to blossom from your cocoon. The line, “Do we want to?” offers somewhat of a reassurance. After all, if we want to, it means we have it within us.
The sentiment and colors present in “New Animals” ultimately remind me that I’m alive. I don’t quite remember what being “here” meant five years ago, nor do I know what that will look like tomorrow, or five years from now. However, whether it’s getting wine drunk or deliriously wandering through a neon blur in a brand new city, I’m reminded of all the magic that lies in between.
