Brutalligators
Can’t Sleep
When Brutalligators dropped a single this month, I had to do my homework as they released an album four years back called This House is Too Big, This House is Too Small. I held off listening to the single until I’d given the long-player a few spins.
This homework provided me the background knowledge to hold up the new single, ‘Can’t Sleep’ in comparison with what is an excellent record. The first thing that hits me is the production on the new single is crisp and clear. You can hear the whole band, and the vocal cuts through the mix.
Stylistically, the song presents a challenge. There are emo elements in here, for sure – the pace and hooks for sure – but it also has a darker edge to the overall tone. The intro riff and rhythm are reminiscent of All Time Low, while the rocky verse conjures Thirst and the chorus feels like Jimmy Eat World’s heavier work. They wit sit nicely on the same bill as Thru It All.
The song is pitched as being ‘for anyone suffering from post-30s anxiety induced insomnia’, and the lyrics provide references to those who can identify with this scenario; laying awake worrying about what you said to some a decade ago and replaying memories in your head.
If this single and that album get you excited, they have some live dates coming up. Keep an eye on their Bandcamp page.
Listen to Brutalligators – ‘Can’t Sleep’.
Written by Fenton on
