Nitefire brings nostalgia factor in debut EP “[redacted]”
By Bailey Blake
PHOTO BY MADDY ROTMAN
Spotify is always a real one when it comes to throwing new music your way, and once again, I must thank them for showing me the gem that is Nitefire. This California band is made up of Nico Geyer, Luke White, Noah Champ, and Christian Renard, has climbed their way to the top of my Receptify (two months in a row to be exact) with their song “Uptight,'' and there seems to be no sign of that changing. The song is addicting with its energy that just makes you want to jump around your room like you're listening to your iPod in 2008. The guitar is heavy and catchy, and the riffs are bound to stay stuck in your head for days.
But I am not here to just talk about “Uptight”. On October 14, the group released their first EP, [redacted], consisting of six catchy songs that will teleport you back in time to the early aughts. It opens up with a short intro titled “That’s The Way It’s Gonna Be”. The track opens with soft sounds of acoustic guitar with nostalgic chord progressions, and vocals from Geyer. It builds up slowly, introducing claps and deep drums, building anticipation.
Next on the tracklist is “Worth It,” which starts off with a cool bassline following heavy guitar and drums, and lines from Geyer. “I’ve got a real tight shirt I’m gonna take it off,” which he repeats twice before singing: “What is it like to live somebody’s life? / What is it like to live with someone else?” in serious punk vocals, reminding me of Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong. This is the album's ultimate mosh pit tune, dripping with teenage grime.
Third song off the EP is “Sunflower”. It’s a little more lax on the punk vibes and leaning towards the pop rock end of the spectrum, but the song is incredibly evocative. If you give the Jonas Brothers (circa 2008) a listen, you will be able to hear the similarities. Though one might not consider this comparison a good one, I want you to know right now, that it is. Considering how successful the Jonas Brothers are, this is just a way of me telling you all that Nitefire is going to be huge too. The first verse is sweet, which is why it reminded me of the band of brothers: “I’d stick my neck out towards the sunlight, I’d stick my neck out just to see if you’re around, you tilt your head when it was too bright, you called me up so we could get out of the ground.”
Keeping the same JB energy, “Star of the Show” is the fourth song on the EP, and probably the song that brings me back to those days when I would lie on my bed and think about my fourth grade crush. It’s not just the instrumentals--the lyrics still go after my heart: “I get tired of watching, I turn the tv off cause you, let your head hang low, maybe baby, maybe you’re the star of the show”.
“Quota” is the EP’s fourth single and fifth on the tracklist, and gives us a nice break from the crazy energy they gave us with the previous songs. It's atmospheric. And despite being one of the slowest songs, it builds up one minute in with heavy drums and guitar--something that has turned out to be a common thing with Nitefire songs. Geyer sings in a higher pitch throughout the song, showing off his range.
And finally, the EP comes to a close with “Clandestino”. Nitefire brings back the punk energy with spoken words in some parts of the song that adds a layer of swagger. The song is short but there is so much going on that all comes together like some sort of punk symphony. It is hard to feel any sort of disappointment when the song finishes at two minutes and forty four seconds.
To be completely honest, I am watching this band like a hawk, and you should too. Their energy is fresh, exciting, and they have the ability to capture a wide range of musical essence. If you are a sucker for music that makes you feel nostalgic, then Nitefire is the right band for you.
