The alternative rock scene in London has just gained a new and fierce contender. Introducing The Alaska Trap, a band ready to challenge everything with their highly anticipated debut EP, "To Crash and Burn". Led by the dynamic trio of Jon, Jamie, and James, this talented group draws inspiration from the rock and emo sounds of the 2000s and 2010s, channeling incredibly raw emotions and the energetic spirit of life itself.
They are already causing a sensation in the local music scene, as The Alaska Trap's headline concerts have been simply electrifying. Their recent performance in Camden, London was a total success, leaving fans wanting more. But it's not just their explosive live performances that set them apart. The band's music has also caught the attention of various media outlets, further solidifying their growing reputation.
"The songs delve into Jon's struggles with mental health and personal demons. 'No Explanation,' 'Scared,' and 'There's a Way to Beat This' are essentially conversations with himself about how to halt the overwhelming emotions he's experiencing."
The Alaska Trap.-
In the following article, we will dive into the depths of "To Crash and Burn," the debut EP of The Alaska Trap, exploring each layer of their thrilling musical work where we may encounter more than one surprise associated with a connection between the songs. Get ready to discover the background and hidden secrets behind this unmissable album!
TRACK-BY-TRACK REVIEW
"No Explanation": The album begins with the first track, titled "No Explanation." This song kicks off with strummed chords on the electric guitar, which possess a slight 'overdrive' distortion combined with a 'lo-fi' equalization filter. This combination provides the necessary power to both the song and the album, captivating the listener right from the start. The filtered guitar amplifies the explosion of sounds when it joins forces with the bass and drums.
The initial strumming accompanying the song until the start of the first verse creates a sense of wide open space in our ears. This feeling is further reinforced in the section that continues into the pre-chorus, where Jamie's bass playing merges incredibly well with the rest of the composition.
If we analyze the lyrical composition, the song seems to convey a sense of distress and confusion. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist of the story is experiencing emotional or mental difficulties and is desperately seeking help. Jon's vocal interpretation, the band's vocalist, exhibits a timbre that oscillates between mid-range and low frequencies, showcasing his great skills as a baritone. His voice adds a distinctive texture to the song and harmoniously complements the overall sound of this incredible track.
The main message conveyed by this song is that there won't always be a clear or easy explanation for what is happening, which can lead us into despair and hopelessness. It also touches upon how often we pretend to be okay in front of others, even though internally we may feel insecure and constantly doubtful.
Musically, the energetic presence of the percussion stands out prominently throughout the song, thanks to the use of the hi-hats. This provides significant emphasis each time James, the band's drummer, utilizes the other cymbals to transition between each
section of the song, showcasing his adept control of dynamic range as a percussionist. It is also noteworthy how he maintains an incredible precision of tempo at all times, even making some cuts to make way for the other instruments.
The song as a whole exudes a positive and joyful vibe, despite its dark undertones. The use of major chords, along with some variations in the progression, creates intimate nuances with the listener.
"Far Too Long": "Far Too Long" is the second track of this incredible release. It speaks about awakening from a long period of dormancy to finally confront the problems and uncomfortable situations that have been present for a long time without an apparent solution.
The lyrics refer to someone who has been asleep for too long and that eventually, the moment must come to face the consequences of their actions. The lyrics urge to confront the tough questions and uncomfortable situations that we often don't want to face and to stop postponing our responsibilities.
Musically, this song presents a slightly more vintage rock vibe compared to the previous one. In some ways, it evokes memories of iconic bands like "The Clash," especially due to the constant use of hi-hats played in eighth notes in the percussion.
On the other hand, the guitar distortion in "Far Too Long" is slightly different from that of "No Explanation," as it focuses more on a mid-range frequency range, allowing space for the bass to shine. Jamie, the bassist, delivers an incredible performance, making his presence felt between verses and even taking solo sections for extended periods of time. It's noteworthy that the bass carries an imposing distortion characteristic of English garage rock from the 80s and 90s.
As for the vocal interpretation, in this song, Jon showcases his full vocal range, even reaching a full octave higher in the chorus, in contrast to the vocal line in the verses. This detail makes "Far Too Long" one of the most memorable and catchy songs on this great EP.
The song takes an unexpected turn as it reaches the end of its penultimate chorus, introducing a bridge where the guitar takes on an important role, incorporating harmonized ninth chords.
"Far Too Long" is an open invitation for individuals to confront reality, understanding that often the consequences of our own actions can hinder our progress in life. The listener realizes that the decision to awaken and evolve lies within themselves.
"Scared": "Scared" is a song that seems to explore the feelings of anxiety and confusion of the protagonist during the night. The lyrics suggest that the night has a revitalizing effect on him but also triggers a series of negative thoughts and emotions. The silence of the night intensifies the protagonist's mind, causing a sense of collision and despair. The bed on which he rests his head becomes a place of restlessness instead of comfort. When closing his eyes, the protagonist feels consumed by something that prevents him from reaching his best version.
Is there a direct connection between the songs?:
"Scared" raises the question of whether what is being experienced is real or just an illusion, whether one is truly awake or still trapped in a dream. It poses the question of whether one is afraid of the darkness or if they are actually afraid of facing reality, which seems to have a direct connection with the themes presented in "Far Too Long."
If we analyze these two tracks together, it is possible to presume that in "Scared," the protagonist of this story has already made the determination to take responsibility for their actions, but once they make that decision, they start having haunting nightmares.
The lyrics convey a constant sense that the feelings and emotions are tearing the protagonist apart and deeply affecting them. Therefore, "Scared" clearly speaks about an internal struggle that arises from a complex effort to understand reality and the emotions that surround us.
In terms of music, "Scared" has a noticeably relaxed aura. It starts with gentle guitar strumming, with a distortion that includes a characteristic chorus effect, and utilizes downpicking technique to achieve a more percussive tone. Jon's vocals deliver an impeccable performance throughout the song and blend well with the drums, which employ continuous hi-hat beats as a preparation for what is to come.
When we reach the chorus, we encounter a powerful refrain that evokes nostalgic tones. However, the band employs a very effective technique by only singing the chorus once instead of repeating it twice, creating a sense of wanting to hear more in the listener. Immediately after, we are treated to another verse that finally leads to the full chorus, providing a complete satisfaction, especially because at the end of it, the drums incorporate some fills with the toms that add an extra touch of excitement.
Next, we dive into an instrumental section where the song's chords are clearly highlighted, allowing each instrument to express itself freely. In this section, there is a noticeable presence of triplets in the drumming, something unexpected and surprising for the listener, which leads to the end of the song. Here, the song returns to the beginning with some significant variations, in what is commonly known as a "callback," a technique that provides an incredible closure to this great song.
Drifting": "Drifting" is the fourth track of this EP. It delves into the melancholy of distance and the palpable lack of connection in a relationship that slowly fades away. The protagonist, in their sadness, feels misunderstood and longs for the other person to provide support and attention.
The lyrics question the solidity of this bond, floating in the uncertainty of its reach, and raise doubts about whether it can evolve into a deeper connection beyond fleeting laughter and fun moments.
Through this composition, it is revealed that, despite often revealing our deepest feelings to the other person, they can be ignored. The other person may even act as if everything is fine, leaving us with the immense doubt of whether they are deliberately avoiding confronting the situation or if we are simply irrelevant to those we appreciate.
The protagonist yearns for the other person to understand the situation before the shadows of regret bring negative consequences, reflecting a constant and exhausting effort to keep a friendship alive that is not reciprocated. And this could eventually break the relationship completely once we have exhausted our efforts.
"Drifting" portrays a constant sense of disappointment and a plea for help, as the singer feels they have been drifting away from their friend for years and hopes that they will finally be heard and their emotional needs will be met.
This is how the story takes shape:
If we view this from another perspective, it undoubtedly makes us think that if we were to position all the songs in a temporal space as a story, "Drifting" is the stage preceding the confrontation that occurs in "Far Too Long," where the other person is definitely urged to awaken and make important decisions. Meanwhile, in "Scared," the constant feeling of discomfort during the nights is addressed, suggesting that perhaps making that decision has brought about a constant sense of unease. Are we then witnessing a hidden story here? Only the listener, through their experience with this album, can decipher this enigma.
Musically, "Drifting" establishes itself with an energetic strumming guitar that, with the help of a flanger effect, gradually makes its way as the percussion enters. As the song begins, it is inevitable to have mixed feelings reminiscent of 2000s bands such as Alkaline Trio and Taking Back Sunday. This demonstrates the band's wide versatility in adapting to different styles. The use of power chords also contributes to the song's perception of elements from pop-punk and alternative rock of that era.
In the second verse of the song, the guitarist only plays the chords instead of strumming them, immediately creating a sense of anticipation for what is to come. And of course, the members of The Alaska Trap wouldn't leave us hanging, as we are then introduced to the bridge section of the song, filled with breaks that make it impossible to resist moving our heads along with the rhythm.
The song has an unusual structure due to its frequent variations between sections. Even the guitar solo that follows is enjoyable, as it uses arpeggio arrangements that culminate with the use of ninth chords.
Next, the song presents an unexpected section where the snare drum rolls create a feeling as if we are in the presence of an anthem, which is confirmed as we reach the end of the song, which could easily be considered one of the most "sing-along" moments of the song. It's inevitable to sing along with the band during this part, and undoubtedly, it must be one of the most memorable moments during the band's live performances.
"There's a Way to Beat This" is the last song of the EP. From the beginning, it is perceived as a song with a softer tone and touches of greater seriousness. This is enhanced by a cleaner guitar sound and the absence of distortion. However, Jamie's bass performance strikes the perfect balance to keep us captivated by the melody of the song throughout.
"There's a Way to Beat This" addresses the theme of internal struggle and the search for a way out in the midst of adversity. The lyrics reflect the feelings of confusion and frustration, as well as the inability to find quick and effective solutions.
The narrator finds themselves at a point where they need to change their situation but feels trapped, unable to find the right options. There is a desire to break free from destructive patterns and learn from past lessons, but also a sense of helplessness in not finding a definitive or lasting cure.
The song mentions the need to overcome obstacles and face challenges, even if it means fighting against adversity. However, there is also a doubt raised about whether finding a solution is really as easy as it seems. The protagonist is trapped in a state of internal torment, desperately seeking a way to break free and break the chains that hold them captive. They face the fear of not reaching the desired goal but continue to search for a way to emerge victorious.
From a vocal perspective, this song is extremely demanding. In the first half, Jon navigates the boundaries of his lower vocal range until reaching the pre-chorus, where the singer intones the phrase "There's a way to beat this," which requires tremendous vocal effort to reach those high notes. This phrase is progressively repeated several times, and even includes harmonization in octaves with a higher voice in the background.
The repetition of this phrase continues until the end of the song, intertwined with the lyrics, and gains strength as it progresses. This way of concluding the song not only achieves an epic closure but is also perfect for giving a final touch to the entire album.
The sentiment conveyed in "There's a Way to Beat This" is undoubtedly one of struggle and determination in the face of difficulty, acknowledging that there is a way to overcome the obstacles described in the preceding songs but also admitting that the path to liberation and facing the adversities of life can be complex and challenging.
The Alaska Trap has definitely arrived to stay. Their captivating sound, introspective lyrics, and energetic performances position them as one of the most promising acts in alternative rock. They are ready to make a mark in the music industry and thrill audiences worldwide. Keep your ears open because the impact of The Alaska Trap is just beginning to be felt.
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