There’s a distinct nostalgic quality in ‘Tightrope’, one that can partially be explained by Start Forward enhanced 90s influences (Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead), but also by hidden new wave and dream-pop references, something that the Miami-based musician and songwriter might not be fully aware of; after all, artistic expression draws from a vast variety of unconscious triggers.
Anticipating the project’s debut album ‘Breathing Under Water’, expected on July 15, ‘Tightrope’ functions as a striking display of what we can expect from it. Lush guitar tones, catchy motifs and the perfect balance between rebellious flair and evocative energy. A long time in the works, the record is very well made, all thanks to Start Forward taking his time with it, refining his production skills in the process. He’s also recorded all instruments and written all the songs; pretty impressive, we’d say.
Crafted during a period of emotional reckoning, ‘Tightrope’ and the upcoming album ‘Breathing Under Water’ are deeply personal to the American artist. As he explains: “I grew up on bands like Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Stone Temple Pilots, and others. That intense, introspective energy just fit the emotional space I was in or what I needed at the time. With those artists, even when the lyrics were buried or cryptic, you could feel the weight and height of what they were expressing.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Tightrope’ on Spotify:
