The concepts of longing for the past and regretting decisions from your life are no strangers to the punk rock genre. While some may say this genre is too simple, which makes the music boring, others will say that it is that simplicity which helps this genre thrive. By simplifying the instrumentation, more room is allowed for things like incredibly creative melodies, harmonies, and time signature switches. If you’re looking for something much different than that, you’re probably going to be better off searching in another genre. However, if this is what you’re looking for, then look no further than Clearbody’s new single, “Quarterback.”
Wasting no time, the song pushes itself to its limits out of the gate. With blaring, distorted guitars and energetic drums, I’m immediately teleported in my head to the 90s. Everything sounds somewhat familiar yet still new, just as any (in my opinion) effective punk rock song should. With song sections being nearly indistinguishable, everything meshes together into one sincere musical message. Singing about days long gone and lost relationships, the song captures the spirit of the genre well while managing to still keep it authentic. With lyrics such as, “And every passing day / I wonder what happened to you,” as well as, “I haven’t been a good friend / And I’m sorry / If you say so / I won’t hold it against you,” we easily get a sense of the emotion behind the track.
Although the punk genre tends to be known for its simplistic nature, that including both its lyrics and instrumentation, one thing that can always be said is that as far as genres go, punk holds the torch for catchy melodies. This song is no exception to that rule, even with the vocals being buried below the noisiness of everything else. While the first half of the song is great on its own, it is the second half of the song which really steps everything up a notch. In a sort of elongated break down, everything slows down in comparison to the first half of the song, allowing every cymbal hit and chord strike to carry even more meaning. Buried beneath it all, we can hear occasional screams of that catchy melody being repeated. Mostly, however, we are treated to a wonderfully energetic instrumental section.
Trying to fit new music into a lasting genre with so much history is not easy. There is always going to be that fine line of being “too similar” or being “too different,” leaving very little room in between for new music to emerge. Thankfully, with “Quarterback,” I feel as though Clearbody have knocked it out of the park. The overall sound feels familiar enough to make me feel right at home when listening to it, but nothing about it sounds like it is retreading old ground. Everything you’d expect out of a great punk song is here: the energetic, emotion-filled instrumentation; the simple yet impactful lyrics; and the creatively crafted melody which you’ll be humming in your head all day.
