LESSON LEARNED: MOUTH CULTURE POWERFULLY REFLECTS WITH NEW SINGLE
Mouth Culture continues to reignite the spark of rock music with their newest single “Regret 101.” Not only are they reigniting the genre, but they are also evolving the sound in their own way. The Leicester trio has a talent for cultivating bits and pieces from their musical influences and re-shaping it into a powerful, grungey art that is entirely their own. Their music is a collage of all that inspires them, with “Regret 101” being another bold addition to it.
This modern rock track faces the consequences that come with being naive about one’s own self-destructive habits, thus resulting in a lesson of regret. Despite this heavy feeling, the lyrics in the first verse have a sense of playful relatability: “Biggest L of my whole life.” This eases the listener in; it’s as though you’re listening to a friend vent about their recent mistake. Even with the dynamic energy of the song, the instrumental tone still has a brooding quality to it. Intertwining this quality with lead singer Jack Voss’s grit and spunky vocals really makes the concept of regret come to life.
Throughout the entire song, the listener is completely engaged. Your room becomes a concert hall as soon as Mason Clifford’s guitar scratches the surface of your eardrum. Then, when the drums and Todd Groome’s bass kicks in, you already feel as though you are on the edge of your seat. To be able to evoke that feeling within a mere two seconds of the song fiercely shows Mouth Culture’s passion and talent.
Graphic by Rosi Martens | Image via InVouge Records, Mouth Culture
The choice to have Voss’s intoxicating voice simultaneously drag out and lower the notes on each word while singing the pre-chorus, “I try to find a way to forget the things I say / Lose my head,” further enforces that hopeless feeling of never finding what you’re internally searching for. These emotional intentions being conveyed in the song are not limited to just the pre-chorus. For the duration of the song, when Voss utilizes his deeper notes, it reinforces the disappointment and shame behind his regret. For example, he opens the chorus with his blunt apology, “I’m sorry that I didn’t get better.” However, when ending on certain verses, we hear him indulge in those higher, scream-like notes. These provide that red-hot anger he has for himself and the situation. It’s a striking balance between reaction and reflection.
The sudden removal of the heavy drums doesn’t give the listener any safety net while falling into the bridge. Instead, the security blanket that was once the aggressive sonic atmosphere is now ripped off, and it forces the listener to sit with all the regretful feelings alongside Voss. The buildup within the bridge is then provoked as Voss brutally asks, “Are we all out of love?” The drums kick in once again, inviting a faster pace that evokes a sense of urgency and excitement.
Along with the building excitement, depth is added to this story of regret. “Sick of all this dirty laundry scattered all over the room,” Voss sings, cleverly alluding to how certain issues have been aired out, but there is still that loss of control. The slight pause within the instrumentals before breaking into the final, explosive chorus stirs up such a fire within the listener. With Voss letting us relish in all of these frustrating, aggravating, and remorseful emotions one last time as he screams the title, “Regret 101!”
Leaving you breathless and probably a little emotionally bruised, Mouth Culture has once again delivered a track that holds raw confessions coated in an electrifying sonic landscape. In the ever-changing world of alternative rock music, this talented trio manages to create something fresh and gripping every time they step into the studio. Not convinced? Just listen to “Regret 101.”
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