City Low Lights
Like a phoenix, they rise from the ‘Ashes’ to grapple with the failings and shortcomings that our beloved society has to offer. With most of us staring into the glass half empty, our friends THECITYISOURS take the stand to offer their slant on life and all it entails.
They will indeed be an august presence this coming erm… August as we push all our troubles through a sieve and sip from the emerging, sweet tasting nectar that will shape our futures.
Our Hollow Our Home’s Connor Hallisey offers his mega growl to open the proceedings and take a peek inside the ‘Casket’ and declare that ‘I can’t let regret get to my head’, a notion that we have all felt at some point. Our ‘Veins’, bulging and pulsating offer little consolation as they too crack under the pressure as we feel ‘ there’s a fear inside me’. These are all much mooted issues that are addressed here, bravely and sincerely.
‘Now That You’re Gone’ is a ballad with a healthy dose of heavy, strong as an ox metal, forged in blood, sweat and tears.
The title track ‘Low’ highlights a concern for many in the lyric ‘the greatest weakness is myself’, it is imperative that we find strength from within to begin to conquer the mammoth tasks that lie ahead. A cry for help in ‘falling apart now, I’ve never felt so low’ shows us desperation and confusion as we plummet the depths of anxiety and depression and feel there is no safety net.
‘Don’t Wait For Me’ contains riffs that tear through the atmosphere in a similar vein to our friends The Fallen State, unleashing a power that will jettison unwanted cargo, stabilise and secure our journey forward.
Chock full of catchy, soaring riffs, and save the world choruses, strap yourselves in for the ride of your lives, my friends.
‘If You Know, You Know’ and ‘Sacred’ give the old one-two with the grungy start and then the more delicate and melodic mid-section, that adds depth and interest to the songs.
The clarity in the vocals helps to convey important messages, grab them with both hands ladies and gents and let’s begin to work together and leave no one behind.
This record is a tremendous effort on all fronts, discussing mental health, self-worth, identity and other such essential topics that are not easy to talk about, let alone formulate a song around and sing about them.
It is time to tackle not just mental health, but to examine ourselves closely in every way, and then also put under the microscope how we treat each other. Only then can we live better, thrive and survive and hoist our flag of defiance and proclaim THECITYISOURS.
Azra Pathan
THECITYISOURS – Low out on 2nd August via self-release