Album suggested by Liv Listened to from December 20, 2023 – January 3, 2024
In Season 1, Week 5, The Backseat Lovers immersed our group with their sophomore album, “Waiting to Spill,” suggested by Liv for its beauty and cohesiveness. She highlighted themes such as loneliness and growth, which are brought to life in this album’s coming-of-age story. The anxious anticipation woven into the music aptly reflects the album’s title, and the poetically evocative words of Joshua Harmon work seamlessly in tandem with the atmospheric and undulating sound palette to create what was a standout album for our music club in our inaugural season.
“Waiting to Spill” marks a significant evolution from their 2019 debut, “When We Were Friends.” While the debut showcased their raw talent and chemistry, this follow up delivers a more cohesive and focused experience. It’s not just a sign of maturing as artists, but also a demonstration of their ability to craft a unified and poignant album narrative. The album presents stifling examples of emotions such as anxiety, paranoia, and fear throughout its entirety. These themes are articulated through Harmon’s reflections on growing older, letting go of the past, relationship struggles, and the personal challenges of stepping into the spotlight. The lyrical content captures these sentiments vividly, making the listening experience both relatable and captivating.
The opening instrumental track of the LP, “Silhouette,” introduces the album by setting a grand atmospheric tone. This track flows with energy and captures the sensation of building towards a peak that remains just out of reach, and this feeling flows into the subsequent songs. The album’s instrumentation and Harmon’s lyrics bind together to create a feeling of anxious anticipation that permeates each track to come.
“Slowing Down” and “Close Your Eyes” are pivotal moments in the album, where all the built-up tension and emotions finally summit. These songs pave the way for the final track, “Viciously Lonely.” Though this closing song doesn’t provide a clear resolution to the struggles articulated throughout the album, it provides a reflective send off through Harmon’s slow and defeated delivery. Its poetic lyrics offer a beautiful ending, capturing the essence of the album and bringing its themes to a thoughtful and satisfying close.
Got the feeling that my wake up call is on its way But as my youth begins to expire I’II slowly put a little less wood on the fire but Maybe it’ll turn like a roll of old film Or a bottle of wine, that’s been waiting to spill
Viciously Lonely, Waiting to Spill (2022)
“Waiting to Spill” is a deeply resonant album, exploring many of the relatable emotions we are faced with throughout our ever-changing lives. Its accessible themes and sonic ambitions were key factors as to why our Music Club loved this album. It still remains in the rotation of multiple members, and stands as a highly regarded album in our musical explorations thus far.
Here’s what some of our members had to say about the album:
Kylar: “The vocals resonated with a unique charm that I found truly enjoyable. It just had a really cool, distinctive sound that added a layer of depth to the album… Overall, the album left me impressed!”
Danny: “This is the kind of music i love listening to when I’m by myself. The singer’s voice is so delicate and the band does a wonderful job at writing for their respective instruments. It was short and sweet, while taking us through many ups and downs. Most definitely will be listening to this record a lot more.”
Liv: “I think top to bottom it’s such a beautiful and cohesive album. Everything from its overall sound to its themes mesh so well. There are a lot of complex emotions that tie into this fear of growing up. From restlessness, to fear, to love, to loss, to overthinking, to frustration, to loneliness, I find it encapsulates those feelings (and much more) really well.”
Here are some stand out lyrics that caught the ears of our members:
Growing/Dying “Why does the plant on the windowsill reflect my state of mind? Growing and dying all the time” “Searching for a sliver, just enough to tell the forest from the fire”
Words I Used “And you fantasize, of chasing lights but you won’t get far with half your heart it seems New York’s callin’, for you darlin so pack your bags don’t throw it all away”
Snowbank Blues “Catching up on sleeps harder when I’m waking up next to me”
Slowing Down “Alone in California, the dream is dimming the second time I’ve heard that voice and it’s getting louder”
Soundwave Society Music Club 
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