SONG REVIEW: Breakaway - "I'm Feeling Dead"
Breakaway explore the more traditional stylings of emo and pop-punk with “I’m Feeling Dead”
Written by JD Walker
Coming off of their breathtaking single “Death Valley”, Breakaway are back at it again with yet another banger. The Australian quintet this time presented themselves in a more straightforward emo/pop-punk style with the upbeat and energetic “I’m Feeling Dead”. The song flows just as well as their previous single, but shows just how versatile of songwriters these guys can be.
The song opens by deceiving the listener into expecting a more somber, mellow side of the band by implementing piano, a marching snare line, and restrained vocals. Just as the audience least expects it, Breakaway brings the energy in full force with a tempo jump, overdriven guitars, and soaring vocals from Sam Biland. The band retains many similar elements to their previous hit, leveraging the chiming lead guitar to add an ambient texture while exploring different approaches to songwriting.
The rhythm section was a standout on this track, as bassist Mitch Borton and drummer Matt McNeil continually drove the song and showed just how cohesive of a rhythm duo they are. The guitars were nothing to sleep on either, as Ray Mammoliti and Miki Bonic gave the song exactly what it needed and followed the dynamic of the song perfectly. The song as a whole shows great versatility and puts on full display just how effective the build and release of tension can be in music.
Breakaway continue to impress on all fronts - their collective musical prowess is only augmented by their individual mastery of their instruments, though what really sets this band apart is their songwriting. The group knows exactly what they’re doing and it clearly shows. Breakaway are no strangers to success, either - they’ve amassed over 30 million streams across all platforms and have toured with such giants as Taking Back Sunday, The Used, and Anberlin.
In their last two songs, Breakaway shows just why they break away from the rest of the pack in the massive market of alternative music. While impressive instrumental chops will turn heads, it’s songwriting chops and catchy hooks that will keep those heads watching. The Australian quintet have been at it for a decade and can be considered seasoned veterans in the alternative music community - there’s no reason why this band can’t be one of the biggest in the world.