City Riots - Sea of Bright Lights (Essential Listens Review)

The newcomer indie-rock Australian band “City Riots," Meet Ricky Kradolfer (Vox & Guitar), Matthew Edge (Bass & Vocals), Dan Kradolfer (Drums) and Matthew Stadler. 

Album Tracklist - Sea of Bright Lights:

1. Turn

2. Catch The Sun

3. In This Space

4. Wait For You

5. Closer

6. Sucker Punch

7. Take You There

8. Lonely Hearts

9. Back To Normal

10. Pirates

11. It's Been A Long Time

Artist: City Riots

Track: Sea of Bright Lights

Genre: indie-pop, ambient, dream-pop, indie-pop, electronic, aussie, 

City Riots have been coming amongst the scene of indie music in Australia, specialising in tracks that outperform with uplifting vocals that chill, and melodies that embrace a feel-good drive. Music with guitar riffs that have strong pop influences in their indie-rock sound, which breathe in harmonies that are experimentally ambient in nature. This is a great band to get your ears familiar with, especially if you're one which digs indie-pop derived from surf-pop dreaming and long coastal drives. 

City Riots - Sea of Bright Lights (Essential Listens Review)

Turn

Sea of Bright Lights opens with the sparkling, feel-good tune, “Turn.” Bustled with soft guitar riff opening, it settles into a relaxing and enjoyable first listen. The guitar melody into the chorus is one which could be described as uplifting and gentle to the ears - listeners are indeed promised a more heavy final verse which immediately closes out with twinkling acoustic guitars and lightweight vocals repetitions in the phrase "and we turn." A chorus that can definitely put a smile on your face and one which is most suitable for light listening sessions. 

Catch The Sun (Album Favourite)

“Catch the Sun” switches pace fairly quickly with a  moody into that drifts into catchy, ambient guitar riff. From upbeat it transitions into a harmony of soft vocals and overdriven guitar compliments. The light vocals and opposing heavy rock strums are an intriguing combination, with listeners being rewarded with vocal resemblance's to the popular indie-electronic group The Sound of Arrows. A tune that entertains through sweet guitar riffs, gentle drumming and warming vocals. 

In This Space

Following the lightweight indie-rock track “Catch the Sun," “In This Space” opens with a slightly more indie-pop outlook, with hoarse vocals and 80's beach-tune rock vibes. This song is much more complex in lyrical content, describing a disheartening fallen out love relationship. It tells a tale of insecurity and discontent, a struggle between loneliness and what’s truly right for an individual within the factors of love. The song keeps vocals simple, but builds on instrumental layering, forming a more emotive nature - again in sync with the lyrics. The song builds to a graceful end, one which deploys the ambiguity of both a musical and incomplete love story. 

Wait For You

Again, City Riots employ immediate musical contrast; as the drums build, the listener is somewhat returned to a feeling of peace and tranquility. It's one track which strives on strong vocal projection, creating a successful 80s emotional and musical journey. Fans of new age 80s rock will enjoy this song, carried mostly by vocal harmonies and smashing guitar solos. 13.56 is definitely the essential snippet of the entire song. It concludes into pure vocals with the dreamy pop chorus rhythms. 

Closer

Rounding off the album is a special change to the norm compared to the band's other tracks. This one begins as much more pop heavy in melody. The dreaming and getting high references are much appropriate for the emotions that strive through the melody. The chorus makes an impressive upbeat fusion of meditative rock thats immersed in an ambient pop background. The chorus uplifts into a a vocally powerful performance one which stresses on instrumental delivery and an addictive repetitive nature. The listener will find themselves hooked for the reminder of the song, overwhelmed by the uplifting spirit of the mix. The final repeat of the chorus hook washes out into ambient sounds.

Sucker Punch

Setting the atmosphere with a pounding, defiant surf-pop anthem, Sucker Punch strays into 60s radio-friendly music. Lead singer Matthew Edge has a  distinctive voice, setting the summer scene for a happy and warm vibes feel. Lyrically, it''s quite simple but if you're into the whole feel good notions for a long summer coast drive, then this song howls for a worthy listen. A track fixated on keeping the listener joyful and in smiles. It's simply brilliant in terms of melody and Matt's ability to render a song effortless, hitting the hook with classic indie-pop vocals.