Indie rock band The War On Drugs is known for a very distinct sound. The all-enveloping, larger-than-life tracks in the bands repertoire hold a certain, unique emotion, falling somewhere between appreciation and wonder. Each long-lived guitar solo and hazy instrumental interlude fits like a puzzle piece in nearly every situation, giving the band an incredible strength when it comes to creating a memorable soundtrack. Their latest single release, Holding On, is no exception.

Perfectly cohesive with the bands previous album release, Lost In The Dream, Holding On stands for a new chapter in a very parallel world of depth and fluid musicality.

Much of the bands work can be considered musically multi-dimensional, many times feeling incredibly dense and thought-provoking. Holding On though, while comparative to any track in the bands past release, feels different in overall tone. The track screams with a new lightness, reminiscent of an upbeat summer drive rather than a reflective summer night.

A Deeper Understanding The War on Drugs

Held together by a contagious, sporadic drum beat, the track is energetic and fun. A playful keyboard and guitar add elements that make the track truly multi-dimensional, lyrical aspects falling on top of an already complete, nearly perfect combination of advanced instrumentals. The heartbroken ode tells the full story of a love built and lost, ending in the simple uplifting yet heartbreaking statement heart of hope.

Holding On captures everything there is to love about The War On Drugs. The band conquers an individualistic creativity responsible for a disconnected, yet perfectly packaged sound in every song. The elements of dreaminess hold a psychedelic element comparative to 70s rock while staying completely modern and understandable in todays rock music world. In Holding On, a less-improvised track, the band proves they can hold a unique individuality while still creating a track coherent enough to make the rock charts.

The War on Drugs Shawn Brackbill

The track can lead listeners to believe the bands upcoming album, A Deeper Understanding, to be released August 25 via Atlantic Records, will be a swift follow-up to Lost In The Dream.

The band released a single titled Thinking Of A Place just weeks before Holding On, which falls into the bands deeper, most complex side. It holds a slower tempo, encouraging in-depth internalization of emotions rather than the manifestation of something new. The two tracks, while similar in instrumental makeup, beautifully represent the multiple personalities of The War On Drugs incredible complexity. While the songs hold different audible emotions, they play well together, hyping the combinations to come on the bands unreleased collection.

cover Shawn Brackbill

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Today's Song: The War on Drugs Walk into Light with Holding On - Atwood Magazine (blog)