It's been almost a whole year since Waterparks announced the cancellation of what would have been their sixth album, "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 2: LOST IN THE PROPERTY," and the band has been making some major moves behind the scenes since. Most notably, signing a record deal with BMG, one of the industry's top music companies. And now, with the release of their fiery new single, "RED GUITAR," the trio is back, better and more powerful than ever before, and officially ushering in a new album cycle. While the band has yet to share many details regarding the next album itself, if "RED GUITAR" is meant to be taken as a teaser for what's in store, then this may be Waterparks' most significant era yet.
An infectious chorus, roaring instrumentals, and high energy are just the tip of the iceberg for this anthemic new song. Intricate, shimmering guitars supported by booming yet steady drums, and combined with beautifully warped synths, bring “RED GUITAR” to life and keep the track spirited and vibrant. Meanwhile, captivating vocals and a snappy hook infuse it with intoxicating levels of catchiness, ensuring listeners wouldn't be able to get this song out of their head even if they wanted to (spoiler alert: they won’t).
While "RED GUITAR" might have all the fun sonic aspects of a chart-topping banger, lyrically, the track holds a lot of weight. Delving into how following dreams isn't always what you imagined when you were young, "RED GUITAR" has a very "grass is always greener on the other side" vibe. Lines such as "So hard to remember / Why I even do this" and "Well, your life is a circus / That makes you feel worthless" give way to the pitfalls of a life lived in the public eye that one can only truly understand while in the trenches of it. Everything's sunshine and roses in a daydream, and there's no consideration or prep for the messiness of reality. The admission of this on "RED GUITAR" gives it a deep level of vulnerability that truly only adds to the song's allure.
Only Waterparks themselves know what's in store for the future, and for right now, they're keeping those details under lock and key. But one thing's for sure: the band is ready for their big moment in the spotlight, mess and all. And if the new single "RED GUITAR" is any idea of what's to come, then they're certain to get it.
Stream "RED GUITAR" by Waterparks on Spotify.
