On October 7, 2016, the alternative rock group from Doylestown, PA, Balance & Composure, will be releasing their new album: Light We Made. This album will be the newest music they’ve produced since their album The Things We Think We’re Missing that was released on September 9, 2013. Fans were given their first taste of something new coming up on July 6, 2016 when the band posted a short 45 second video of the band members spinning together and separately in black and white with what sounded like potential audio from the upcoming album. The video ended with the phrase “FALL 2016” and the caption when posted was “s o o n. . .” Two weeks later on July 20, the band posted a 21 second video of an illustration coming into focus paired with more possible album audio and the ending stating “BALANCE & COMPOSURE” and “COMING SOON.”
Since the teasers, the fans have been given 3 new singles – Postcard, Afterparty and Spinning – along with the dates for their 2016 tour with Foxing and Medicine Girls. In addition, new album merch plus vinyls, pictures of the making of the album and a music video for Postcard have been released. The band has given fans treat after treat that have been spaced out just in time for the album release. In the midst of the promotion for the new album, the band came out to Entertainment Weekly and Alternative Press about a van crash that the band found themselves in on October 6, 2013 in Ohio after finishing a show in Cleveland. While the crash effected the band tremendously, this hasn’t stopped them from making music. In the interview with Entertainment Weekly, Bailey Van Ellis states: “[The accident] brought us together as individuals a lot more. I think that might have produced some more chemistry between us. It really did have a big effect on the way we write.” (see here)
The accident wasn’t the only thing to inspire the band to change their writing and their sound. On July 25th it was announced that the band had moved from No Sleep Records to Vagrant and a press release had come out about the band’s switch as well as their new album. In the release, it was discussed that Will Yip produced the latest album (Yip also produced and featured in the documentary of the production for TTWTWM on YouTube) and that the band has stripped a bit of their “hardcore and punk-rock roots” in order to create softer, more soothing sounds. The band states: "This album is the culmination of the last 3 years, and how musically the band wanted to be more creative than ever before. We took time off to experience life, pushing ourselves to try things that we previously hadn't, which in return inspired us to record something that would stand out. This LP is a sonic progression for us, and we're excited to share it with everyone." (see here)
With that said, I present some of Balance & Composure’s best tracks to reminisce on during the wait for Light We Made:
Reflection
“A weak hold / Some call it pitiful / Their reasons / Say what you really mean / I cave in, ran out of miracles / Reflection, who do I really see?”
Starting off with one of my all-time favorite songs and music videos, I chose “Reflection” for the electricity you hear in Simmon’s vocals and the electricity that can be found in the video. The music video starts out with a mirror being shattered by someone with a bat, leading into the beginning vocals for the song. “Reflection” contains such an interesting story behind the lyrics along with the video, utilizing a sound that amps listeners up just from the beginning notes.
Burden
“Don't let, don't let it go to your head / For now you are victorious but soon to dread / The thought of your actions with such great passion / She's basically dead on the cold cement”
Coming from the split the band created with Tiger Jaw, “Burden” is one of their heavier, hardcore acts. The vocals start off clean and intensify as listener’s have a taste of heavier vocals brought out by Simmons. Nevertheless, the song contains a significant amount of raw emotion brought on by the ties of the vocals and the instruments, creating one of my favorites off of the split.
As Planned
“I drove fast but I was all alone / My eyes bled as I traveled down the road”
Another track from the split, “As Planned” has become one of my favorite songs lyrically. There are about 2 or 3 verses along with the chorus, making the song rather short at 2 ½ minutes but it remains rather similar to that of Burden – heavy and emotional.
Echo
“It's nice to have hope / Even when you can't believe / The world that I know never had a care for me”
Right before introducing TTWTWM and LWM came Separation, a 12 track album from the band released in 2011. Track 10, “Echo” remains one of my favorite tracks altogether. “Echo” is one of the band’s more mellow tracks – not quite reaching acoustic but not heavy enough for hardcore. Simmons’ lyrics and vocals are laced with an unmatched melancholy that’s unlike anything from the rest of the album.
What’s Wrong With Everything
“Follow me to the water / where it flows still no one knows / And down there no one seems to bother / The world is wicked but no one knows / So let the water rise to your eyebrow / where a tiptoe can save your life.”
“What’s Wrong With Everything” comes from the 4-track album Only Boundaries which was released in 2009, just shortly after the group was formed. What’s Wrong With Everything is a song that starts slow and packs a punch as Simmons sings the words “Hallelujah” toward the end with the emotion he uses in every song. This track is another one of my favorites lyrically and Simmons vocals remain chock full of emotion.
Enemy
“And I thought I heard you / Sitting up there in the clouds / You know I'm fading out / And that's fine / Just shine right on me.”
Being the last track on The Things We Think We’re Missing and the last track I’ll feature in this article, “Enemy” remains one of my all time favorites alongside Reflection which is featured on the same album. Enemy is a rather powerful song from start to finish as the instruments die down towards the end and Simmons’ vocals soften. Alongside the instruments and vocals, the lyrics are also incredibly powerful. For those that are fans of this song, I also recommend the acoustic version that can be found on YouTube!
If you haven’t grabbed a pre-order yet, be sure to check out Light We Made as it releases Friday, October 7th!
