It's the 2nd single from their keenly awaited 15-song LP, which bears the same name as the band itself. This is no random assemblage of sounds, music nerds and layman listeners all have something to gush over.
Joe Philips heartily leads with vocals and guitar, with Darrin Hunt galloping over guitar chords to complement him. Nicole Margosin-Galindo belts put on bass while Brian Galindo blazes up the drums.
People are supposed to keep up with the rat race while still getting some much-needed 'me-time'. That's what this song is about. 'Right when everything's tight for a minute / that's when everything falls apart' refers to this stress. It's that point of 'tension,' when one is pulled left and right, that reveals one's true capabilities. Philips says 'that's when everyone finds out / what they're made of.
It's a futile pursuit being spoken of here. "12:34 or 11:11 / back again with nothing to say" echoes the lack of meaning in this quest. There's another path, a meaningful one. That's what "now and again you should seek out the answers" is about. The chorus pays homage to the desire to free oneself from the tension. The desperation is evident when the vocalist confesses "I need to know / where to go / to cut the tension". It's a matter of taking time out to get in touch with the self. Cutting the tension refers to this necessary escape.
The audience has alternative rock and indie rock influences to thank for this. Listeners are eased into the idea behind it, with a steady building up of energy. One moment it's all calm and collected, the next it's absolute anguish. Both the instruments and the vocals go through these motions.
It's musical and it has a message, 'Tension' ticks all the boxes, and brilliantly so.
Gavin Mndawe
Image: 'Tension' Official Single Cover
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