“Out of my mind, but I’m alright… It’s what I fear”
The very essence of shoegaze—with its layers of reverb-drenched guitars and ethereal vocals—captures the tumult and haze that often accompanies love’s dissolution. Just as relationships can be a mélange of clarity and confusion, the genre weaves together the discernible with the indistinct. This lends itself perfectly to the exploration of connections that once were vibrant but have since faded into obscurity. In its haunting melodies and faint lyrics, Was It Really All That Bad?, the new single from Nashville dream pop outfit Leftwich, embodies the echoing memories and lingering ‘what-ifs’ of love lost.
Leftwich is a collaboration between two innovative musicians (Elijah and Lex Leftwich). Lex’s ethereal vocals and Elijah’s textured guitars shine beautifully in “Was It Really All That Bad?“, a moody and nocturnal dreampop/shoegaze composition that explores the nature of a heartbreaking relationship failure.
The emotions are enveloped in an almost ritualistic fervour—startling yet familiar; a beguiling paradox. As the song unfolds, one becomes enmeshed in what can best be described as a ‘habitual mania’—a fevered, yet recurrent crescendo of sound that, against one’s expectations, unfurls a blanket of solace. Although Was It Really All That Bad? is teeming with intensity, it simultaneously evokes a sense of homecoming.
This duality—a frenzied embrace wrapped in the tender lull of comfort—illustrates Leftwich’s songwriting mastery in creating a mood that is both exhilarating and soothing in its embrace. The song’s foundation, darkly assertive bass notes, harmoniously fuses with the crescendo of guitars, all while being caressed by raw, delicate vocals. It captures the quintessence of its genre, reminiscent of legends like the Cocteau Twins and Curve.
Listen below:
In former endeavours, Elijah and Lex Leftwich had found themselves consumed to the point of exhaustion. Yet, serendipity struck the couple on a wintry day, confined by an unrelenting snowstorm, where their collective musings began to meld into harmonies. What emerged was a blend of the ethereal tones of shoegaze and the enchantment of dream pop—both vast and velvety, as if conjured from the very dreams one might have on such a snowy seclusion. In 2021, amidst the backdrop of a world in flux, they united their artistic strengths. With a hint of triumph in the air, they unveiled their inaugural track a year ago: “On A Roll (In The Cold).” The song is a harmonious melding of Lex’s otherworldly voice and the intricate strumming of Elijah’s guitar. Their sound is evolving wonderfully, and just in time for cozy autumn nights.
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