Canadian roots, rock, and soul band BYWATER CALL have released their striking new single, “Is This Thing On?” paving the way for the July 29th release of their highly anticipated fourth studio album, Broken Souvenirs.
The fourth album will also feature the critically acclaimed singles “No One Else”, “Only”, and “Hold Me Down”. The album is available to pre-order HERE: https://bywatercall.store/
Sometimes the Toronto-based band’s upbeat, expansive songs play out as full-fledged hymns of rescue; at other times, their inspired melodies become whirling veils of vulnerability that bite deep into a listener’s restless heart. Dave Barnes’ incredible, emotive slide guitar work beautifully complements Meghan Parnell’s pristine vocal articulations, turning the band’s carefully crafted arrangements into melodic roots-rock masterpieces.
We’ve previously described the Bywater Call sound as an “intoxicating, groove-driven soulfulness filled with high-octane rhythmic propulsion and powerhouse vocals…”
“Only” is a deliberate nod to the classic soul hits of the ’60s and 1970s. The love-loss ballad, featuring Parnell’s smoke-tinged vocals and a pleasingly languid rhythmic structure provided by her ever-talented band-mates, is a sincere appeal to stay united while everything around a person is breaking apart. Parnell thrives amidst the skip and draw of the song’s lovely melody, with warm organ swells, and light-as-can-be, rat-a-tat rhythms; all this, while Barnes’ guitar gently caresses her velvety, blue-hued vocal. It is a contemplative tribute to lost love and misty misgivings.
“Hold Me Down” is a full-hearted, high-energy soul anthem that serves as a playful, restless petition to reignite a once-steady—though now tottering—romance. The enticing track highlights the earthy charisma of Parnell’s vocals, which echo vintage soul-blues while maintaining modern sensibilities akin to Amy Winehouse or Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes. Bright horn phrases, a heady gospel chorus, and sparkling percussion with a James Gadson-inspired hi-hat rhythm all shine in this superb arrangement.
Parnell’s moonlight-shrouded voice emerges from the contours to sweep across a wider emotional landscape…
The Gaelic-style lament “Is This Thing On?” (stream the song here https://linktr.ee/bywatercall) opens with an agreeably handcrafted, acoustic-guitar lattice before Parnell’s moonlight-shrouded voice emerges from the contours to sweep across a wider emotional landscape. By the time the gentle rhythms kick in, any sensitive listener will find themselves swaying along to the all-encompassing drift. It is a beautiful song about the fluidity of love and the upheavals we all navigate in our daily lives.
The retro-soul track “No One Else” is the most Winehouse-esque cut on the album, complete with a recognizable, Mark Ronson-style finger-snap and jangling chords layered across purplish bass-lines. Parnell’s voice is both atmospheric and urgent here—like a long-awaited summer rain, shadow-filled and heavy. Halfway through, the song unfolds into something even more spectacular than expected, blossoming into pure gold.
Broken Souvenirs is an album of intense, poignant performances, superb musical chemistry, and staggering vocal prowess from Meghan Parnell. A collection of shared wisdom, this recording pairs words of sincere beauty with musicianship of burnished radiance. The result is uncompromising artistry. Outstanding!
BYWATER CALL Broken Souvenirs is available to pre-order HERE: https://bywatercall.store/
Words: © Neil Mach
Main photo credit: © Paul May
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