AJR Deliver Once Again with New Single Bang!
Photo courtesy of the AJR Facebook page
Since releasing their debut EP, I’m Ready, in 2013, brother-band AJR have been revolutionizing the songwriting process. The group consists of Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met, who share control of the writing, production, and performance of their music. On February 12th, the group released their new single “Bang!”-- and they did not disappoint.
The song follows a slow and captivating beat, drawing you in and immediately making you interested in the music. The lyrics are written in reference to their own abstract style, saying that innovation leads to their demise, then they must at least go out with a bang. In the chorus, lead vocalist Jack sings, “I'm way too young to lie here forever / I'm way too old to try, so whatever / Come hang, let's go out with a bang!” providing an insight to their disinterest in creating uninteresting or easily profitable music. In the second verse they sing about the music they may create in the future, singing, “Man I’m up to something / “Ooh-de-la-di-do, thank you all for coming (All for coming) / I hope you like the show 'cause it's on a budget (On a budget),” alluding that this song may be connected to a full album.
As is part of their signature style, the song contains several technological, instrumental, and vocal interludes, all with their place in the narrative and sound of the song. Between each verse and chorus an edited voice interludes saying, “Here we go.” The voice comes from Charlie Pellet, an announcer in New York City’s subway system, who received credit as a backup vocalist. His line adds to the narrative of the song, as if the listener is being asked to join AJR on their musical journey. Additionally, in the second verse, the same edited voice says, “Metronome,” as the backdrop of the song is replaced with the steady beat of a metronome. This provides a tonal shift in the song and allows the vocals to provide a new melody, differentiating the two verses and disallowing the listener to be lulled into forgetting the motive of the song: an oath to avoid mediocrity.
“Bang!” was paired with a music video which was released 10 hours after the song. It features the three brothers wearing classy red suits and standing at a casino table, accompanied by anonymous guests with their own distinguished outfits. Throughout the video, the camera zooms in on the brothers, and the guests make several costume changes that vary from putting on animal masks to being completely naked. The actions in the video are extremely synchronized, though the band is synchronized differently to their guests. Director Se Oh shot the piece in a way that is extremely visually appealing, and though the video does not provide a narrative, it is a fantastic addition to the piece.
As they always seem to do, AJR delivers once again with “Bang!” I have yet to find a band that strives to be as innovative and unusual as AJR, yet still makes incredible music on every attempt. Though the group worries about their future and pledge to leave as they arrived, I don't think AJR will be leaving the spotlight any time soon.