Loving this new wave of Pop-Punk? You’ll be delighted to know that Rocket Pengwin makes that ooey-gooey, angsty, oh-so-cathartic Emo music you’re always looking to sink your teeth into. “What It Seems,” is just that–a perfect balance of modernity and nostalgia. So sit back, relax, and let this song take you back to your teenage years.
We’re greeted with some chorus-drenched guitar chords in the intro, outlining a progression with an inherently sentimental feel. The singer comes in crooning, “Built a story / Living according to what you’re told,” as the guitar sinks backward into the mix. We get a full verse and chorus in before any of the instrumentation changes, allowing us to focus on the lyrics and melodies. However, when the band does kick in, it’s absolutely frenetic. The guitar pauses for a moment while the singer utters the hook, then suddenly–an explosion of bass, drums, and synths. The bass is groovy and melodic while the drums hold a steady beat. The keys twinkle from ear to ear, adding brightness to the now full mix.
After the second verse, another chorus comes crashing in with a flourish of ghost notes. The guitar forms these crunchy, blaring power chords, and the vocals ring out with throngs of harmonies. The drums become virtuosic, performing jaw-dropping fills and carrying the momentum of the song to new heights.
If any of this sounds interesting to you, you’ve got to check out Rocket Pengwin. They’re lively, endearing, and masters of this particular rock sound.
Written by Alyce lindberg
