New Jersey alt-pop band The Clydes are back with a new three-song EP called Everything’s Not Dark. It’s a short but powerful group of songs that the band says is some of their best work in their 15 years together.Guitarist Brian Johnson says the band wanted every moment to matter: “It’s the art of not wasting a note or a moment.” The EP was released on Mint 400 Records and includes three tracks: “Sleeping On The Side Of Your Head,” “This Is The Night Shift,” and a brand new one called “Soak On.”
Here's what brothers Brent and Brian Johnson had to say about the new tracks:
“SLEEPING ON THE SIDE OF YOUR HEAD”
The first song, “Sleeping On The Side Of Your Head,” features loud guitar and a huge chorus. It ends with a bright, heavy synth part. The song is about pushing forward when things feel dark.
"Brian, our guitarist and my brother, sent me the main guitar riff. It was glorious — a little New Order, a little LCD Soundsystem. We built the song around that. The melody for the chorus came out of nowhere, fully formed, as I strummed the guitar. And lyrically, as I've gotten older, I've tried writing more about finding hope in the dark moments. Because what else can you do? Reach out for the light. All three of the songs on this EP are about that, really. The key lines in this song are: 'Save our weary arms' and 'heaven's what you make of it.' Because that's life. Searching for help and then making the best of it."
“This Is The Night Shift” has a mix of new wave and Britpop sounds. It’s fast and full of energy, and it tells the story of getting through an anxious night.
“THIS IS THE NIGHT SHIFT”
“This Is The Night Shift” has a mix of new wave and Britpop sounds. It’s fast and full of energy, and it tells the story of getting through an anxious night.
“Another song that started with a Brian riff. It sounded like jagged Britpop. Like Blur, but a bit more new wave. As if Elvis Costello fronted Blur. It all felt claustrophobic to me. So I wrote about being alone in your apartment, late at night, feeling itchy about life. Hence, 'Why can't I find my phone?' 'I'll just shout at the moon.' That's sometimes what 2 a.m. feels like. Just work through it and sunlight will come in a few hours.”
“SOAK ON”
"The music Brian sent me sounded like the song was floating. Above the room, almost. The title came to me first — that feeling of soaking everything in, good and bad, and moving on without letting it pull you down. Again, trying to rise above the dark."
The newest track, “Soak On,” begins with rich guitar chords, as guitarist Brian Johnson explains how the song started:
“Some of my favorite songs sound great on acoustic guitars or on cranked amplifiers. This is one of those. I wrote this on my Gibson Hummingbird, and it always sounded like it could stand on its own with only an acoustic. Then in band rehearsals, some of the Marshall amps were on full blast. The result is a sonic sound that is hard to create without those dynamics.”
The songs were recorded with producer Adam Vaccarelli at Retromedia Sound Studios and these tracks will be compiled with a new batch of songs to make The Clydes next LP!