Review Summary: "Zoetic" - Of or relating to life; living: vital
I'll be the first to admit, I was very skeptical about Bryce Avery's 6th studio album prior to its release.
I thought the leading single "Same Air" was a decent track, but it didn't grab my attention much with its seemingly odd descent into more electronic and synth territory then the bands previous efforts I was used to and loved. Next we got "Help Me Out". A short but sweet little jam. I enjoyed this one more than the previous but still nothing groundbreaking to me. Finally "Cold War" was released. I really didn't like the style of it with the 80's synth lead and it's odd guitar and drums. This wasn't the Rocket Summer I loved. It was official, I was worried about how this album was gonna turn out, my expectations were very low.
Boy was I wrong in every way.
"Zoetic" is defined as: Of or relating to life; living; vital
Every time even more as I listened through this album, I genuinely got the sense I was listening to something that was alive. Every single song had its own feel to it, and truly felt alive in a way I haven't exactly heard in any other album before. The layers of instruments and voices are pieced together so precisely that they really flow and feel living.
Going back and listening to album opener "Cold War" a ton more, it grew to be one of my favorites on the album. Avery really just jams on this one. He sets the intentions for the rest of the album very well. The guitar crunches and hits on top of the synth actually work extremely well with the chorus as he shouts "Between my head and my heart there is a Cold War"
I grew to love the other singles more with every listen when I gave them a chance, and appreciate every single layer of what was laid into them.
Another favorite of mine is "White Fireworks", this one is most familiar with the sound of Bryce's previous albums. Over the huge and exiting chorus, Avery let's out screams reminiscent to a mountain lion, and it works perfectly. "FL, CA" is another high point of the album. The song starts slowly with an acoustic section then bursts open into a huge explosion and doesn't let up for the entirety of the track. It's infectious! The acoustic lead stays the entire time through the rest of the song giving an interesting sound with the rest of the instrumentation.
The only songs I wasn't as in love with as the others would have to be "Sharks" and "You Are You Are". While still not bad tracks, they didn't have the same feeling, energy and overall continuity and flow as the rest of the album does.
Album closer "Emergency Landings" is incredible and has some really diverse and great sections. It's the definition of the new rocket summer and perfect as the album closer. It's upbeat, happy, and hopeful. Avery's best songs are always influenced by his faith, and these songs are beautiful.
Even if you don't like it at first, do yourself and give this album a chance, pick it and put it on repeat. It'll get in your bones and head. This is music to feel alive.
