Image description: The members of San Cisco stand in a grass field. The two men wear suits, and stand on either side of the woman, who wears a blonde wig; a long, coral-coloured dress; and white, knee-high boots.
By Teehani Ralph
San Cisco fans around the word have been sitting in anticipation, dreaming of a new album. As it turns out, dreams really do come true! San Cisco is releasing Between You and Me on the fourth of September.
Without further ado, please enjoy a very subjective track-by-track commentary of the new album.
Skin
We start the album with a beautiful song. The opening sound is vaguely reminiscent of Prefab Sprout’s Desire As, but quickly evolves into a slow but snappy beat, coupled with lyrics which explore longing for a lost love.
On the Line
We continue kicking out of the gates! On the Line has one of those beats that gets stuck in your head for days – one that you could easily imagine topping the Triple J Hottest 100. The song is poetic, yet groovy – and entirely great.
Reasons
Reasons is exactly the kind of song that comes on and makes you halt whatever it is you’re doing, and just bop out. It’s a very dance-able song that makes me want to jump and flail my arms around when no one is watching.
Messages
This song was born when lead singer, Jordi Davieson, grew frustrated with drummer, Scarlett Stevens, when she allegedly wouldn’t respond to his text messages. Stevens then took the opportunity to add in her own jabs – and Messages was born.
It’s a fun, playful, and light-hearted track that highlights the trivial annoyances that come in all relationships. Most notably, Messages is the first San Cisco song to fully feature vocals by Scarlett Stevens. For this reason alone, it’s a banger.
Shine
The opening instrumental of Shine is a dystopian synth-pop sound that makes me want to shoulder wave. Like many other songs on the album, I was left with the desire to smile and dance, but the song also features melancholic lyrics, such as “you say you’re fine / but you’ve lost your shine”.
Alone
Alone has a stripped-back sound accompanying soft, almost unsure, vocals. It looks at feeling alone, and longing for home. It’s almost weary and resigned, and entirely poignant.
When I Dream
Honest and upbeat, When I Dream starts with a fun, snappy theme, then delves into how it feels to be at fault. It’s the kind of song that wasn’t forced to be written, but emerged as part of the artist’s musical therapy. That organic sound is exactly what makes it a brilliant tune.
Gone
Gone has a distinctly Christmas-y sound that may annoy some grinches. Personally, I adore it. I’m now aware of exactly how much I need a San Cisco Christmas album.
Flaws
Flaws is another track that was initially released on the EP, and fans immediately loved it. The most vulnerable of all of San Cisco’s songs to date, it explores the self-doubt and insecurity that almost everyone feels sometimes.
It doesn’t use typically ‘sad music’; instead, the vocals are raw, with melancholic undertones stemming from the background instruments, which match the lyrics. It’s easy to connect with, and simply a gorgeous song.
Tell Me When You Leave Tonight
This song is a simple tune that makes me to want to sit in a field of sunflowers and sway to the music. It sounds like a love letter – and I love it.
Between You and Me
The worst part about this track is that it’s the last one. It talks about the memories of love without being angry, mournful, or even longing. Rather, it looks back on the good times that have passed, but will always remain in memory. It’s a kind of beautiful reflection that resonates with the listener.
Overall
Ten out of ten – great sound. It’s a San Cisco album that sounds like a San Cisco album, and reminds me why I’m such a fan. I can tell you right now that the next many weeks of car rides will be spent exclusively playing this album.
San Cisco, you’ve done it again.
Image courtesy of Toni Wilkinson