Silverstein – This Is How The Wind Shifts
Review by Haley Black
The band that graced the cover of Highlight’s very first issue a year ago has released their seventh studio album. “This Is How The Wind Shifts,” has 14 incredible songs packed with impressive instrumentals and honest lyrics. Silverstein has always been notorious for putting out lengthy albums, which is always satisfying. The record is actually a very clever concept album. Each song corresponds with another, telling the same story from a different perspective. Some of the parallel songs are more obvious to spot than others based on their titles. Once you solve the puzzle, it is interesting to listen to each song back to back and see how the stories start to unfold.
“Hide Your Secrets” is a vulnerable track which recalls an unsuccessful relationship nearing its end, with the lyrics, “Just put me out of my misery with those hands that I won’t trust again.” Since there are two sides to every story, “With Second Chances” explains the other aspect of the relationship, singing, “I used up my honesty, I’ll tell you honestly I could only give you so much.” Both tracks are extremely noteworthy and reflect the band’s sheer brilliance.
“Arrivals” is the counterpart to the final track, “Departures.” It is a slower, shorter rendition, which opens with the lines, “You’re killing me kid, but I know you’re not trying to.” Similar lyrics are repeated in “Departures” which is slightly more lively, but just as passionate.
There are three songs on the record that are a lot like the ones on their previous release, “Short Songs,” “This Is How,” “Arrivals” and “The Wind Shifts” pack a lot of emotion for being under a minute and a half long.
Silverstein has always had some of the most relatable lyrics I have ever heard. Reaching out to an audience and being able to tap into their innermost thoughts is truly their forte. A lot of the content of their songs deals with heartbreak and feeling low. Hopefully people feel less alone when they listen to a Silverstein song. Like all of their previous albums, this one has the power to provide an escape for anyone who chooses to listen.
Whether the band is playing a song acoustically or loaded with mind-blowing guitar riffs and screaming, a four minute song or one that only lasts a minute, they can do no wrong. Silverstein consistently delivers quality music and only continue to improve as artists as time goes on.
Overall Rating: 5/5
Recommended Tracks: “California” and “On Brave Mountains We Conquer”
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