"If there comes a time when a pick me up is needed, Seaway will be there with songs that have all of the 'big vibes' needed to dance the worries away."
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Awesome
By Bruna Cucolo
It has been a year and a half since Canadian pop punk band Seaway released their last album, but the Pure Noise Records-signed quartet is debuting yet another one this Friday, Oct. 16 called Big Vibe.
Containing 11 songs, this record will get listeners moving and probably breaking out a sweat. It is one of those albums with an overall feel-good tone that is both captivating and exciting to listen to.
It begins with the opening track “Brain In a Jar” which feels like being at a show in a movie. You know, that scene where the band opens up their set with fast drums and blaring guitars joining in shortly after. This is when the beat enters listeners’ bodies and the only thing to do is move and maybe even jump around a bit.
The lyrics “it’s like falling in love” resemble how listeners may feel while the song is playing, knowing that they are about to fall in love with this album. As an opener, “Brain In a Jar” perfectly introduces the rest of Big Vibe.
As the title track and one of the three singles previously released, “Big Vibe” comes next. It is not as powerful as the previous songs, but it still keeps the person who is listening moving anyway. Even in the music video, the people featured are dancing along to the song and it’s just too difficult to not want to join in. It is a sugary sweet tune about a girl whom vocalist Ryan Locke is interested in. The lovesick lyrics help translate “Big Vibe” into one of Seaway’s biggest pop tunes yet.
Skipping to track five, “Wild Things” starts off with a sound that is alluring to the ear and different from the rest of the record. This song definitely offers a more mellow, laidback moment for listeners where they can have a brief break and reflect on the first part of the album. While listening, especially with headphones, bell-like sounds can be heard in the background of this tune, offering a lighter moment on Big Vibe.
“Wicked” is the song off of Big Vibe that sounds a little more aggressive with not only its lyrics but also with its instrumentals and raspy vocals. The combination creates a louder, and more surprising, moment on the entire record.”Wicked” is truly reminiscent of sounds that are heard on Seaway’s debut full-length Hoser.
Big Vibe comes to a close with “Sick Puppy.” The song’s lowkey, laidback intro may catch some listeners off guard, making them think the album is going to end on a lighter note. However, that’s not the case. As soon as the chorus kicks in, Seaway is back with their outgoing pop-centric sound, ending the entire record on an exciting and satisfying note.
While listening, one can hear the rock influences incorporated into Big Vibe which makes the album heavier in some parts. However, while the album has a cohesive pop punk sound, each song has its own particular feel. If there comes a time when a pick me up is needed, Seaway will be there with songs that have all of the “big vibes” needed to dance the worries away.
