I have a soft spot for pop rock. There’s nothing better than a catchy sing-along chorus and fist pumping drums and guitars. And Sweden’s Those Without checks off all the boxes with their latest single, “Serenity”.
With Oskar Westlin (vocals), Martin Spåman (guitar), Felix Lindquist (guitar), Filip Burman (bass), and Niki Hursti (drums) the quintet banded together in 2017 and immediately started making waves. With their previous track “Rose-Colored Kaleidoscope” behind them, Filip and Martin say this about “Serenity”,
“After ‘Rose-Colored Kaleidoscope’, we wanted to explore a different direction, aiming for a pop/rock sound with subtle hints of pop-punk. We envisioned mellow verses, a massive chorus, and an anthemic bridge – elements that ultimately shaped ‘Serenity’ into what it is.”
Oskar adds this about the song,
“‘Serenity’ is a song dealing with mental illness taking a variety of shapes and forms while you’re in a relationship with someone, whether it’s in your head or someone else’s, and the feeling of serenity you get when receiving the reassurance you need from that certain somebody.”
“Serenity” is a perfect blend of pop rock perfection and reminds me of Warped Tour days and bands of that era like Simple Plan, Good Charlotte, Yellowcard and so on. While the subject may be heavy, the music adds a lightness that is freeing.
Oskar further adds,
“‘Serenity’ means a lot to us as a band and we’re certain that the pop-rock influenced instrumentals and the melodic catchy chorus will bring you the sense of serenity you need. Something about the instrumentals written for this song spoke to me in a sense that demanded bittersweet lyrics – with a positive message in a negative lighting. Writing lyrics for ‘Serenity’ has been a pleasure as well as painful, and I believe it will shine through throughout the contents of the song.”
In a world consumed by chaos, “Serenity” is an oasis of comfort with its singable melodies, empathetic lyrics, and infectious hooks. One can have a momentary escape from the turbulence of life.
