AJR, the Indie Band That Everyone Should Be Talking About
For the past two weeks, I have been listening to the same album on repeat every single day. New York-based, indie band, AJR’s new album The Click is fanatical. The multi-instrumental brother trio is a band to look out for because they are transforming the music scene.
The Click features thirteen songs that are all very closely connected, following the same themes and elements, which are repeated throughout all the pieces. The songs tell a story of real-life challenges and struggles about insecurities and social life. I love this album so much because it is so down-to-earth candid and relatable. When it comes to writing songs, AJR doesn’t romanticize anything.
The album starts with “Overture,” which introduces the clock or “clicking” theme. It also has snippets from each of the ten songs intertwined together to give you a sense of what the album is like.
The second song in the album, “The Good Part” makes reference to the inevitably familiar Pachabel’s Canon in D but adds an electro-pop twist to it. AJR perfects the beat drop right before the chorus every time and the beat cuts are timed so well that they do not feel abrupt or awkward.
“Weak” is probably the most popular song in the album. The lyrics are very real and express thoughts that everyone has. “But I’m weak, and what’s wrong with that?” When I heard this, I immediately fell in love with it. This is also the first song where we here one of the repeated elements. Near the end of the song, he yells “Go!” which is later heard in other songs. There is also a key change before the second last chorus, however, I’m not a huge fan of it.
“Drama”, “No Grass Today” and “Netflix Trip” are also very catchy and have that pop feel to them. However, when you listen closely to the lyrics, you will realize that they aren’t like any ordinary pop songs.
AJR has a very unique style and approach to music wherein although the melodies might sound simple and fun, the lyrics are actually very powerful and though-provoking.
