If you haven’t heard of this indie-folk-rock band from Cleveland yet, I would highly recommend checking out The Lighthouse and the Whaler’s new single, “Paths,” on the streaming service of your choice. Similar to a few of the songs off their 2015 album, Mont Royal, the quartet packs high energy and palpable emotion behind their fast-paced sound in this brand new single.
The melody of this song (similar to their other greatest hits) contains a combination between high highs and low lows. The head banging melody of hard electric guitar, the harmonious background singers, and the powerful sound of a catchy drum beat create an incredible chorus which highlights the refrain of the song:
“I was lookin’ to find the path you took,
I was lookin’ to find the ground you shook.”
In contrast, they tie in bridges during the song with the graceful sound of violin and various stringed acoustics to highlight the more eloquent lyrics in the song. For example,
“Look to the stars for your answers,
my soul exposed chasing after.”
As much as I try to explain how epic this song is, it is really something you have to listen to for yourself in order to understand the emotion behind their sound. It’s hard to convey how much of an impact The Lighthouse and the Whaler has had on my life, too. I could listen to this new single — along with practically any example of their music — on repeat forever and just zone out from the real world.
The Lighthouse and the Whaler also just released tickets for their fall tour, so chances are they’re playing at a cool pub in a city near you some time in the not too distant future. I have seen them twice before, and since they really know how to put on an unbelievable show, I will of course be at their upcoming performance on November 15th at Schubas Tavern in Chicago. Maybe I’ll see you there!
— Noah Slowik, Fiction Editor and Music Blogger
