SINGLE REVIEW: Everything We're Not - "Broken Down"
Everything We’re Not bring upbeat summer vibes in the dead of winter with “Broken Down”
Written by JD Walker
What sounds typically describe the winter time? To many it can be described as dreary, dark, and heavy. Generally speaking, the emotions associated with winter are negative. That’s what makes Everything We’re Not’s newest single “Broken Down” so special - it’s a song that invites a smile, produces a nodding head, and gives the listener a break from the cold and dark elements outside.
“Broken Down” is a melodic take on emo and pop-punk, beginning with upbeat rhythms and power chords. The song smoothly transitions to a full verse augmented by a beautiful delayed guitar arpeggio in the background before dropping into the infectious chorus. As the song progresses, the textural guitar layers paint a wonderful picture for the listener of positivity. Guitarists Jasun Hayhurst and Jonathan Newton (who is pulling double duty on the strings and lead vocals) composed their parts brilliantly, and the rhythm section of Alex Eldred on bass and Joseph Newton on drums.
The Newton brothers formed the band in their basement in late 2017, releasing their first EP in 2018 and quickly paving their way through the Chicago alternative scene. The band have played audiences large and small, ranging anywhere from house shows to full on festivals. Songwriter Jonathan Newton welcomed vulnerability in his latest lyrical effort, writing about the plagues of uncertainty and doubt. The juxtaposition of dark messagery over a happy instrumental adds to the gravity and impact of the song, creating a memorable and relatable experience for a wide array of listeners.
“Broken Down” on the surface is a nice upbeat tune that’s a change of pace from the dreariness of early February, but the lyrics contain much darker subject matter that encapsulates the desperation of hopelessness. The band delivers their parts proficiently and are remarkably good songwriters, but the measure of a great group of musicians is if their sound meshes well and is greater than the sum of their parts. Everything We’re Not checks that box without a doubt, making “Broken Down” a solid addition to any playlist regardless of the setting or audience.