equape – Creating Atmospheric Soundscapes With Deep Meaning

The dynamic between a father and his son is one that toyed with significantly in songwriting. More often than not, that dichotomy is explored whenever it’s strained. A new trick from equape, an independent outfit from New York City, delves into the subject matter with a level of compelling brevity. The track, entitled “”Your Force”, is a bittersweet take on a father who isn’t around as much as he probably should be.

The track was originally inspired by a real relationship between the songwriter’s friend and his friend’s son. Since his friend worked extensively and had to travel for work, his son wasn’t able to spend much time with him. The time they did spend, however, was positive and the son never blamed the father for being absent. One could argue it’s a temporary spiritual successor to something akin to ‘Cats in the Cradle’. It isn’t as overt as the famous Harry Chapin track, though.

The lyrics of “Your Force” are particularly tactful. Written from the perspective of the son, it doesn’t exercise as much understanding of its own situation as “Cats in the Cradle”. The son recounts all of his favorite games, toys, and activities, but also remarks about how it doesn’t matter which one, if any of them, they play with or do – he just wants to be with his father. It’s a hopeful sentiment that turns sad in the final notes of the song as the son contemplates how he can make things right. He doesn’t understand he’s not the one at fault.

Musically, equape explores very atmospheric soundscapes that are well-produced and organized. I love the sonic intricacy of it, and I love the vocals as well. It’s as if they’re straight out of ‘Sgt.Pepper’s’ or a modern Wilco record. It’s a perfect balance of contemporary and classic instrumental musings and delivery. The synthesized brass sections that dance back and forth with the vocal harmony toward the end are absolutely fantastic – I love the space equape creates.

The track is off the brand’s latest album ‘Sense the Horses Rush’. If it’s indicative of the album, I’d immediately be compelled to delve into the rest. ‘Your Force’ is a sparse, but effective jaunt through some bittersweet emotions that many will likely find as relatable as they are potentially troubling. Find out more about equape and hear more music at: http://www.equape.com/