Bastille and Pompeii
Today I have some more new music for you! This song is by a band who has such a distinct sound that it makes them utterly recognizable. Bastille showed the world their vulnerabilities and allowed us to expose our own with their music. The band has been characteristically known to have a more pensive and melancholy touch with their music, filling the soundscape with somber strings and driving rhythms. This song is very similar but still remains a bit different from what we are used to hearing.
Bastille gives us a song that coincides with a lot of structural similarities to their past music. However, I think that their formula for music is so beautiful and utterly moving that maintaining their style is not something I can criticize. When Bastille dropped their debut album, it seemed like the indie band took the European music scene by a storm. And eventually, that bled into the American musicscape, giving their debut single a sensation. But when you listen to the rest of the album, we get to hear a different side of Bastille. Yes, the band tends to have fewer pop-oriented songs. And we hear that more dramatic melancholy as we get further into the album. But we also get some songs that are epic and grandiose pop songs, the ones that are wonderfully uplifting and orchestral masterpieces. What is great about this song, is that we don't get either of those takes. Instead, we get a song that is more focused on being introspective and allowing the listener to fly free.
The song opens up with the pronounced plucking of stringed instruments, giving way to Dan Stevens's gorgeous voice. There are more electronic elements to this song than normal, but it is done in a very tasteful way. The synths and supporting melodic lines are not overwhelmingly loud, nor do they take the focus away from the violins and cellos. During the chorus, you may also notice that the rhythmic drums are made through a drum pad, not an actual set. That is a bit different from what Bastille has done in the past, but I think it works better. Using a drum pad allows Bastille to round out and soften that rhythm. Dan Stevens steals the show by giving us vocals that are so uncomparable to anyone or anything else. Personally, there is something so gorgeously special about his voice. There is a gentleness but strong passion in his voice, which carries throughout the song. The falsettos and harmonies that he layers on top of the actual verses and chorus are stunning and hauntingly beautiful as well.
Bastille blends magnificent orchestral backgrounds with crisp electronics to create a song with a powerful and impassioned climax. Unlike other songs which utilize orchestral backgrounds as a heavy portion of the musicality, Bastille starts it off as a subtle addition. As the orchestra crescendoes, gradually presenting itself from under the electronic lines, the song does as well, giving us that epic moment when every musical piece comes together. If there is something Bastille will always be commented on, it is the artistry with which they build up songs. Each layer, each line is dynamic and tactfully placed to create a glorious and impactful climax. Bastille has a special artistry when it comes to composing music, and I am very excited to hear that they haven't forgone that gift in their sophomore album.
Today's instrumental song had to be an orchestral piece. This song is from the movie Pompeii. The movie choice was not because Bastille is featured on this post, I swear. But this piece is a beautiful wave of emotion that crescendoes into a beautiful moment of power and ecstasy, before dying down to a softer and more soothing piece. The wave that you follow in this piece is so beautiful and moving in a way that is heart wrenchingly so. And while I wasn't a fan of the film itself, the score is wonderful. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!
Bastille gives us a song that coincides with a lot of structural similarities to their past music. However, I think that their formula for music is so beautiful and utterly moving that maintaining their style is not something I can criticize. When Bastille dropped their debut album, it seemed like the indie band took the European music scene by a storm. And eventually, that bled into the American musicscape, giving their debut single a sensation. But when you listen to the rest of the album, we get to hear a different side of Bastille. Yes, the band tends to have fewer pop-oriented songs. And we hear that more dramatic melancholy as we get further into the album. But we also get some songs that are epic and grandiose pop songs, the ones that are wonderfully uplifting and orchestral masterpieces. What is great about this song, is that we don't get either of those takes. Instead, we get a song that is more focused on being introspective and allowing the listener to fly free.
The song opens up with the pronounced plucking of stringed instruments, giving way to Dan Stevens's gorgeous voice. There are more electronic elements to this song than normal, but it is done in a very tasteful way. The synths and supporting melodic lines are not overwhelmingly loud, nor do they take the focus away from the violins and cellos. During the chorus, you may also notice that the rhythmic drums are made through a drum pad, not an actual set. That is a bit different from what Bastille has done in the past, but I think it works better. Using a drum pad allows Bastille to round out and soften that rhythm. Dan Stevens steals the show by giving us vocals that are so uncomparable to anyone or anything else. Personally, there is something so gorgeously special about his voice. There is a gentleness but strong passion in his voice, which carries throughout the song. The falsettos and harmonies that he layers on top of the actual verses and chorus are stunning and hauntingly beautiful as well.
Bastille blends magnificent orchestral backgrounds with crisp electronics to create a song with a powerful and impassioned climax. Unlike other songs which utilize orchestral backgrounds as a heavy portion of the musicality, Bastille starts it off as a subtle addition. As the orchestra crescendoes, gradually presenting itself from under the electronic lines, the song does as well, giving us that epic moment when every musical piece comes together. If there is something Bastille will always be commented on, it is the artistry with which they build up songs. Each layer, each line is dynamic and tactfully placed to create a glorious and impactful climax. Bastille has a special artistry when it comes to composing music, and I am very excited to hear that they haven't forgone that gift in their sophomore album.
Today's instrumental song had to be an orchestral piece. This song is from the movie Pompeii. The movie choice was not because Bastille is featured on this post, I swear. But this piece is a beautiful wave of emotion that crescendoes into a beautiful moment of power and ecstasy, before dying down to a softer and more soothing piece. The wave that you follow in this piece is so beautiful and moving in a way that is heart wrenchingly so. And while I wasn't a fan of the film itself, the score is wonderful. I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!
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