Liverpool’s RISE has always shone brightly with some sort of hopeful energy, but on their latest single ‘Dreams’ they’ve held onto pure, effervescent optimism and let it loose. Forget subtlety – this track drags you up to the sky with a hook laden euphoria over a synth driven field of dreams that sounds both nostalgic and brand new.
It announces itself from the very first notes as something special. Intense, pulsating synths come in big and bright, full of the warm, vibrant glow that comes with a good deal of classic, shimmering 80s new wave, although with some RISE flavoring of the energy to sound like anthemic Blondie, if they were around today. Production, handled masterfully by Rob Whiteley at Liverpool’s legendary Whitewood Studios, is lush and wide but each synth line shines through, each drum hit lands with purpose while painting a vast but inviting sounding landscape.
Paul Kinley’s songwriting just cuts through you. The point isn’t to take the fantasy of “Dreams” as naive; it is a really strong assertion of possibility in the world that is by nature uncertain. Those lyrics are, to me, about that universal yearning for a brighter day and the courage to go after it, wide eyes and all, when you have no idea where you’re going (‘there’s no guiding map’). The delivery is without a shred of cynicism and the message to such an extent reverberates.
Sam Kinley’s vocals are here the perfect vehicle for this message, their earnestness, dynamism and a conviction impossible to miss. Vocal performance backs harmonies to provide the track with an almost heroic quality. The whole thing is propelled by an unrivalled driving rhythm section, reminiscent of the song’s basic lyric, pushing onward.
RISE is unarguably their most sonically dynamic and lyrically heartfelt release: ‘Dreams’. Sure it’s a nice tune, but it’s also a radiant burst of sonic sunshine, a reminder that hope is a powerful thing. The accompanying lyric video which features visuals such as lights rising up ceaselessly captures the spirit of uplift in the song. RISE is pure, unadulterated belief cutting through a world we often feel is weighed down. Press play, turn it up and hope to god it doesn’t make you feel like anything might be possible. It is a glorious gleaming triumph.
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