Girl at the Rock Shows

Although I’m an absolute pop-punk princess and a metalhead, I grew up in the 90s, so I’m really just a 90s baby at heart. That’s why I was thrilled when I got pitched the new album ‘Lunar Phase’ from Deep Blue Something. Don’t worry if that band name doesn’t strike a chord with you right away. Honestly, it took me a second to put it together, but if I say, “What about breakfast at Tiffany’s,” what do you think? Maybe you think, “I remember that film, and as I recall, I think we both kinda liked it.” To which I would respond, “Well, that’s one thing we’ve got!” Okay, I’m done spreading cheese for the time being, but that’s right, Deep Blue Something is the band behind the massive ’90s hit, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” but they are so much more than that. I already told you about the opening single on this album, “Saint Morrissey,” when I reviewed it a couple of weeks ago, but let’s take a look at what else they have on their brand-new album, ‘Lunar Phase.’

Being that I’ve already shared “Saint Morrissey” with you, I promise not to spend a lot of time on this opening track, but I will say that, in the context of the album, I love how this song brings you into Deep Blue Something’s world. It’s a calm track that builds over its four minutes and eleven seconds. It perfectly lays out the idea of a perfectly curated mix of modern and nostalgia that I think will reign supreme throughout this eight-song album.

“Before the Song Fades Out” is one of those songs that will instantly tug at your heartstrings. Before the vocals and full band even came in on this song, the guitar tone had me getting a little choked up. It’s just so beautiful, so restrained, and so expressive. This feeling is only magnified as the vocals of Todd Pipes come in and whisk you away into a beautifully tender dreamworld. This song is definitely not a pump-up jam like some of Deep Blue Something’s other tracks, but it’s as powerful, and it perfectly shows the many sides of this band.

At just under three minutes long, “Porter Square” is definitely one of the shorter songs on this album, but don’t let that fool you about how hard it will hit you. This song instantly transported me back to the pool of my childhood, where the radio would blast. I call this “Holiday Pool Music” (an ode to the community pool that went by the name ‘Holiday Pool’), and it always warms my heart. Although I definitely heard similarities between this song and Deep Blue Something’s classic ’90s sound, there was something fresh and a bit more arena-ready. There’s more depth in the vocals, and the song seems to rise and fall like a deep blue ocean that is steady and constant, but somehow always keeps you on your toes at the same time. Anthemic, gorgeous, full of heart, and passionate, “Porter Square” is the up-to-date anthem for all of us ’90s babies who refuse to give up our bleach-tipped hair and butterfly clips.

The same could be said about the fourth song on this album, “Wanna Know Why,” but this song has something ever so slightly more somber about it that would keep me from calling it a quintessential 90s song. Maybe it was just me, but music from then felt so carefree, whereas this song has a clear message behind it. What is that message? Come on now, I’m not going to give that away, but it’s a beautiful one that is presented with an undeniable sense of passion and fire behind every single note that flies by in this four and a half minute long track.

The mood shifts from a boisterous, full-band sound to something a bit more barebones on “Rock Island Live,” but I love how the energy doesn’t falter with that shift. The vocals of this song, although still distinctly those of Deep Blue Something, feel almost whispered, giving this four-minute-long song an eerie aura at times and, at others, that classic anthemic sound of Deep Blue Something. This is something that has struck me throughout this album. This band excels at dynamics, but not in the standard sense. I feel like they throw in a sense of ebb and flow in seemingly random places, yet it makes sense when you look back at this album and see where they were. Sure, the rises and falls may not be in your typical places, but it’s clear at this point in this album that Deep Blue Something is not your typical band.

“Will You Wait?” is such a loaded question. It comes with so many deep answers and deep thoughts, but this band has encapsulated the question into a beautiful and easy-to-listen-to track on this album. There’s a playful nature to this song that I wasn’t expecting, given the song title, but I absolutely welcomed it as my energy level seemed to start to falter after a long day. Even though I got a sense of almost playfulness from this song, there’s no denying the passion that Deep Blue Something has put into it, much like all the previous songs on this album.

I love how “Hide” seems to have a darker tone than the previous tracks on this album. Don’t get me wrong, this is just as fun of a track as the previous ones but the way that the bass seems to take charge on this album and the tone of the vocals seems to bring a slightly darker hue to the album making this song stand out to me for all of the right reasons. Another song that will absolutely take you down memory lane while giving you a breath of fresh air, “Hide” is the epitome of a nostalgic band that perfectly straddles the line between the familiar and the new. I love how Deep Blue Something can pay homage to their classic sound that made them such a force while making sure that people know they aren’t stuck in that. They are open to new and fresh ideas and will absolutely put a spin on them, creating unforgettable melodies and tunes.

‘Lunar Phase’ closes out with “Don’t Stop,” which changed everything about this album for me in a way. Although the final track on the album, Deep Blue Something hits you with a completely new sound and vibe on this final track. They bring in more electronic thoughts and experimental tones to this final song as if reminding you that, although you think you may feel like you know this band after listening to this album, they still have some surprises up their sleeves because, at the end of the day, this is a band that just “Don’t Stop.” Okay, that’s terrible English, but come on, give me a break.

Tl;dr: Deep Blue Something absolutely pays homage to their 90s hit in their new album ‘Lunar Phase’ while proving to everyone that they are so much more than just that one massive hit. You can listen to this song and find all of the nostalgic ’90s pop-rock qualities you want, or you can listen to this with fresh ears and realize that this band refuses to be just another one-hit wonder from the ’90s. Either way, you will enjoy ‘Lunar Phase.’

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