Girl at the Rock Shows

Do you ever think about how much better your mental health would be if you didn’t have a cell phone? I frequently do, and I often get jealous of my dad, who refuses to have a cell phone and relies just on a landline. It’s a life I want to lead, but with this blog and some of my other jobs, it’s just not an option. That’s what the title of this debut album from Shortwaves makes me think of. ‘Mental Health in the Information Age’ is something that I feel we just don’t know enough about, but do know that keeping up with your mental health while being accessible 24/7 and living in a world where you can start doomscrolling whenever you want is probably not a good thing. Instead of doomscrolling or getting lost in another reality TV show that has very little to do with reality, I figure I can spend some time tonight checking out this album.

This album opens up with “Creative Juices.” This song features a super abrasive and eye-opening intro before you get to hear the sweet sound that is Shortwaves’ classic power pop sound, which at times bridges into something a bit more punk. This song hit me particularly hard. Although I am absolutely in the mood to check out and review this album, I don’t feel my creative juices flowing. That changed as the lyrics repeated “created and be set free.” Although this happens at the end of the track, I loved the way it set me up for success when reviewing the remaining eleven songs on the album, especially when followed by the quick, fifty-second instrumental track “A Minor Offense in A Major.” Not only is that a clever play on words, but this quick interlude is the perfect palate cleanser after the bombastic opening of this album.

“DBA” is my new personal soundtrack. Not only is this an infectiously fun and powerful song, but the lyrics also spoke to my soul in a way that felt like this song was written just for me. To me, this song is about being stuck in the rat race of life, but not giving up or giving in to what those around you think you should be doing. It’s about the struggles of being in your own rat race because, at the end of the day, you don’t know anything else. “Lack of praise and accolades fills you with self-doubt/ yet it motivates you to find a way to break out.” As I said, this song was made for me (I know that’s not true, but please let me have this one), and it was wrapped up in a perfect and timeless power pop sound that instantly reminded me a bit of old-school MxPx.

The first three songs of this album felt very light and almost playful to me, so it was a bit of a shock to the system to pick up on the angst that I got from “The Information Age,” but it made sense. I love how the band hid their unique brand of angst for this song because it really drives the message of this track home. Don’t get me wrong, this song is just as fun and California-sun filled in a way as the previous songs, but there’s a slight hue of darkness, snark, and frustration here that gives this Masked Intruder-feeling song more of an Against All Authority kind of vibe.

Although I kind of wanted the vibe of this album to change since I felt like the first four songs all felt pretty similar, as “Demons” played through, I realized that I was crazy. Why would I want Shortwaves to change what they’re doing on this album when they’ve been doing it so well thus far and continue to do so on this fifth song? Unfortunately, that means I’m left with very little to say about this song, but don’t let that deter you from giving it a listen. I’m not sure there’s a single fly-over kind of song on this album, and I know that’s not the kind of track “Demons” is.

At just under four and a half minutes long, “History Man” is the longest track on this album. It’s also one of the slowest-moving tracks thus far. Neither of these things is super positive in many cases when I review albums, but in the case of Shortwaves, I loved it. This song showcases a cohesive and full thought, while also offering a glimpse into the more tender side of this band. Okay, maybe “tender” isn’t the right word to use here, but there’s something just a bit more intentional about this song, giving it an almost doo-wop back story in my mind. It feels classic, yet fresh, and, most importantly, it’s just as infectious as the previous tracks on the album.

From the longest track to one of the shortest, the sixth song on this album is “Mr. Universe,” and I love how it juxtaposes what Shortwaves laid out in “History Man” so well. Instead of being a bit slower and super intentional-feeling, “Mr. Universe” felt a bit more chaotic and raw, but in a very Shortwaves kind of way, which carried into “Don’t Talk To Me” so perfectly. I feel that one of the things that has really hooked me about this band is the rise and fall throughout the album, and I think this span between songs six and eight really proves my point. Although all of these songs share the same overall vibe, they each bring something new to the forefront. It reminds you that Shortwaves is not just a one-trick pony, but at the same time, they have a super distinct sound that, although it will remind you of a million different influences, will never have an exact match.

Are you looking for an obnoxious earworm? Look no further than “Won’t Be Ignored.” This fast and furious track features numerous elements and lines of notes that will instantly get stuck in your head, even on your first listen. From the ripping guitar solos that glitter this quick, under a two-minute-long track, to the “La-la-las” that add a Descendents-style sense of fun, this is the kind of song you play when you just need to get out of your own head or need those racing thoughts to be replaced by something a bit more fun. Like the lyrics state, “I won’t be ignored!”

Of course, I was a sucker for “Dances With Cats,” especially when you get to hear cats meowing throughout the track. My four little fur babies didn’t really like the unfamiliar meows happening throughout my house, but I loved the little sense of charm that it brought to this surf-punk-inspired instrumental track. You all know by now that I’m not typically one for instrumentals, but I feel that Shortwaves has packed so many different modes and vibes throughout this song (including an epic surprise right around the 1:50 mark) that it was impossible for me to not fall in love with this track.

‘Mental Health in the Information Age’ ends with “Just Like You” and “Medication.” Both of these songs are absolutely stellar and amazing, but absolutely fall back into Shortwaves’ distinct sound and style, which I feel like I have already put into words as many ways as I possibly can, so I won’t keep on repeating myself or stressing out over finding new ways to say the same thing. Just know that, like I mentioned before, there’s no such thing as a “fly-over song” on this album, so these two final songs absolutely deserve your attention. Honestly, part of me wonders if I’m out of words to say selfishly because I just don’t want to be distracted while getting lost in the songs.

Tl;Dr – Do you like Masked Intruder or MxPx with a more punky edge but a Weezer vintage? This is the album for you. Have you never heard of those bands (that would be a shame if true)? Have no fear, ‘Mental Health in the Information Age’ is the kind of album for anyone who likes infectious beats and melodies with raw yet quirky lyrics. Overall, I found ‘Mental Health in the Information Age’ to be a bit repetitive, but it’s a solid album with a unique sound that is super accessible yet glittered with intricacies that will surely leave you in love.

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