Written by Jennifer Moglia
After releasing their revisited EP “When The Dust Settles” earlier this year, New Jersey rock band Can’t Swim is back with their latest single, “Who’s Happy?”, accompanied by the announcement of “Someone Who Isn’t Me”, a new EP due out next month. The EP will serve as a follow-up to 2019’s groundbreaking six-track release “Foreign Language”; the band has not put out a full-length since 2018 favorite “This Too Won’t Pass.”
“Who’s Happy?” definitely presents a different sound from Can’t Swim, but not in the same way that “Foreign Language” did. While the 2019 EP explored some heavier tracks sonically, the new song is the complete opposite.
The instrumental on this track is almost more indie-leaning than rock, although the elements of Can’t Swim’s alternative background are present, especially in the catchy melody in the chorus, where vocalist Chris LoPorto sings, “You can put it on the list / Always said your second best just wouldn’t do.” His delivery is a lot more mellow than we’re used to, especially compared to last year’s release, but it fits the vibe of this song perfectly.
The lyrics take a look at feeling down on yourself and like you can’t continue, made evident by the repeated phrases of “I don’t want to know what's next / I don't want to take the test / I won’t pull through.” In a year full of self-doubt and dread, especially for those involved in the music industry, I have a feeling that the people who needed to hear this will absolutely appreciate having their thoughts put into words.
While the lyrical content itself is somber, opening with references to flowers on a casket and writing a eulogy, there’s a good chance that this is one of the most positive-sounding ones that this band has. It keeps the same upbeat energy of classics like “Molly’s Desk” off of 2017’s “Fail You Again”, but sounds more mature this time around.
The bridge of this track is probably my favorite part, the echoed phrases “I don’t want to read about it anymore / I don’t want to think about it anymore” leading into LoPorto beginning the chorus again before an exasperated sigh and “oh, fucking shit”, as the refrain resumes. The entire song perfectly captures the frustration and exhaustion that 2020 has brought to so many people, while still being super danceable.
Can’t Swim’s latest EP, “Someone Who Isn’t Me” comes out on December fourth via Pure Noise Records; get excited for the release by picking up some new merch, including a line of soaps (one for "Who's Happy?" and one for "Casey", another track on the EP) and a hoodie, as well as merch from previous album cycles. You can keep up with the band by following them on Twitter @CantSwim_, and you can keep up with us here at Legends of Tomorrow by following us on Twitter @lgndsoftmrw and keeping an eye out for our full review of the EP coming up next month!
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