Review: Dead Reynolds new thundering alternative-rock single ‘Wake Up’ tackles the struggles of addiction in its personal lyricism
Five-piece Dead Reynolds hail from East Anglia, bearing a mix of alt rock, indie rock and pop punk perfect for fans of Foo Fighters, Don Broco, Mallory Knox or Nothing but Thieves but still strikingly their own. Since forming in 2018, they’ve picked up long-standing support from Kerrang! Radio, RockSound, Powerplay Magazine, and critical acclaim from Louder/ Classic Rock, plus Amazing Radio and BBC Introducing that has only pushed them further to succeed. Now bearing their newest single ‘Wake Up’, Dead Reynolds are making it clear they’re a band with a lot to give and this new track will only solidify the places they’re heading.
Storming into the three and a half minute experience of ‘Wake Up’ with clashing drums, emphatic electric guitar and an overall identity that’s big and bold, Dead Reynolds don’t limit themselves to anything other than greatness. The verse sees vigorous beats settle down to a steady lull, with rich electric guitar and deep bass all together building a sonic base bridging between alt rock, indie rock and softening into brilliant pop melodies. As the chorus instead of bursting into an explosion levels out into more of an atmospheric moment of vastness, ‘Wake Up’ manages to balance brewing energy with a diffusion you can’t help but chant along to, with aggressive drums falling into a backing whilst soaring electric guitar riffs find their own place. With their new vocalist Rossco bringing a new direction to the band’s sound, ‘Wake Up’ shows off the edging of both rock-y grit and charismatic flair that he weaves between, erring the edge of a clean pop delivery and the more rich tones of hoarseness and bundled emotion. A bridge that fades out into a moment of sincerity and stripped-back beats leaves a moment to ponder before building drum beats climb towards a high the song feels it’s been awaiting since pressing play, taking vocals that interact with one another to truly ramp up the rising adrenaline. It’s clear that in terms of sound, ‘Wake Up’ is a song that wields a war behind its ebbing and flowing of velocity, serving both an anthem to be played loud and a message to be heard.
With a heartbreaking story to tell that covers darker lyrical themes, Dead Reynolds don’t shy away from touching upon the harshness of reality inside of ‘Wake Up’, expressing a narrative rooted in the struggles of an addict. Close from the heart and relating to experiences of members of the band, ‘Wake Up’ is a hauntingly penned journey of love and loss, watching someone you care for detach from the person they once were and being unable to intervene. A fear of their loved one’s demise is engrained within every day, rooted in the choruses’ repetition to emphasise the recurring thought that just won’t stop coming back even in lighter moments: ‘I wonder if we’ll see tomorrow.’ Rhetorical questions seek to find answers that will only continue to be left unspoken and un-responded to, weighing heavy as they watch someone they care for throw everything away and slowly realise they cannot pull them out unless they truly wish for it: ‘was it everything you wanted?’ Left feeling out of their depth, lines like ‘only you can break these chains’ plead for change while they are only able to witness from a distance as their loved one continues to downwards spiral. Every moment and personally pained line of ‘Wake Up’ captures the reality of addiction, as well as the burden it places upon those around them, preaching a message of solidarity with those watching a loved one lose themselves and hoping to reach out to those who need the encouragement to turn things around.
Check out ‘Wake up’ for yourself here to enjoy Dead Reynolds’ thundering alternative-rock sound that’s dedicated to sharing an important message sure to resonate with many.
Written by: Tatiana Whybrow
Photo Credits: Unknown
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