Their previous single, ‘Overthinking’, tackles feelings of self-doubt and careful optimism with a clever stop-start rhythm to represent the brain’s racing thoughts. ‘Don’t Wait’ follows in a similar suit with instinctive songwriting and slick production.
Written in collaboration with Norwegian artist Matilda Gresseberg, the track is fast paced from the start with a swift drumbeat paired with Jack Baldwin’s crisp, evocative vocals as he declares his moment of realisation: “I don’t even care no more / Not in the way I did before / I think it’s time for me to go”.
‘Don’t Wait’ excellently demonstrates the band’s ability to genre-blend: the clean, melodic guitar lends the track a bluesy, country feel, whilst maintaining their usual flare for indie-pop-rock.
Towards the chorus, drums quickly simmer down as backing vocals add depth to the band’s cries of “Hold on, I don’t want you to hold on / There’s nothing left for me to build on”.
Rises and falls between the fleeting bridge and heartfelt chorus cleverly imitate the sudden, overwhelming sensation that change can have on a person’s emotions: especially if they’re having to drive the change themselves.
The last bridge into the final, courageous round of the chorus is an exhilarating one as the drums build in anticipation. The track instead charges ahead with a decisive outro assured by a powerful, emotional vocal delivery – accentuated by an impressive long-held note - as Baldwin wails “So I’m gonna go home”.
It can be easy to second-guess our own feelings when we hit a wall and realise we aren’t satisfied with an aspect of our lives; on ‘Don’t Wait’, the band tackle this feeling and reinforce the courage it takes to be decisive and move forward.
Kai Palmer
Image: 'Dont Wait' Official Single Cover
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