When I was 8 years old, Good Charlotte was my favorite band. (Besides the Backstreet Boys, but we’re talking about a completely different genre here). I’m not ashamed to admit that. “MakeDamnSure” by Taking Back Sunday was my middle school anthem, and I frequently blasted Simple Plan songs in my bedroom. Needless to say, early 2000s music was the music to my ears… literally.
Anything that makes me feel like I’m in the early 2000s again makes me extremely excited, and that’s not an exaggeration. The new track from Partisan, “Two Lovers” makes me feel like I’ve reverted back to my childhood.
Partisan — Alt Rock for the Ages
Partisan is a fairly new name on music scene, having formed in the UK in 2013. The meaning of the word “partisan” is “a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person.” I’d say that Partisan is the type of band that is definitely a strong supporter of alternative rock music, and they succeed pretty well in making sounds that you’d enjoy.
“Two Lovers” starts out without a graceful introduction, but later throws you into heavy instrumentation and an upbeat tempo. The vocals start shortly after the beginning of the song, leaving little room to get adjusted to the sounds that are coming through your speakers. The lyrics have that perfectly distorted sound that you’d hear in late 80s music, and the vocal range is impressive to say the least.
By the time the chorus kicks in a little after the 2 minute mark, I’m starting to feel a vibe that I get when I hear The Killers. It’s mostly a vocal comparison I’m noticing, I think. The electric guitar picks up and steals the show starting at 2:34, ultimately leading back into that catchy chorus that’ll be stuck in your head for the entire day. The track ends with a graceful fade-out, not at all abrupt and doesn’t leave you wondering about what you just heard. It’s all a really good balance and seems to be the picture-perfect definition of a rock song.
I’m not sure if anyone can remember when shows like “The Hills” were on MTV, but I can hear this song playing in the background. (Might be just me.)
Needless to say, “Two Lovers” is one of those tracks that will leave you repeating the lyrics throughout the day, and it succeeds in making you want to hear more Partisan. These guys seem to not only have a way with lyricism, but are effective in the way they put together the instruments to blend so well. They create perfect alt rock harmony.
You can check out “Two Lovers” and more of Partisan on SoundCloud.
