Daydreams & Breakdowns Review

Daydreams & Breakdowns by CENTRIFUGE is an alt-rock project with some Power Pop influences. The main track that jumped out at me is a breakup song called You Are Yesterday. The track is confident and builds up the scorned lover at the centre of its narrative. It has a tongue-in-cheek lightness established by the rhythmic strumming of the guitar and the generally breezy, bright timbre. This confident vibe is contrasted by a juxtaposing amount of heart shown in the more subtle moments.

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The arpeggiated chords and guitar runs up and down the song’s melodic core provide a sense of catharsis and honesty, bringing the theme of lost love to the centre of the music. It is this mix between the boldness of the chorus and the candid honesty of the verses that gives the piece a unique tone that is a cut above other indie tracks in the sub-genre. The quieter, honest moments contrast beautifully with the boldness. The contrast of one emphasises the positives of the other. The vocals are another strong suit. Their versatility is on display throughout, leading us through the narrative and moving the momentum of the melody from the front. They feel like the guiding light connecting the melody to the narrative. The fact that the vocalist can sound as confident in the lower, more subtle moments as he can in the louder, more expressive choruses shows that he understands the core through line in the song’s DNA. It also shows off his technical ability to express emotion in the lows and highs in the track’s register. The vocals are smooth and well articulated, contrasting with the flowing and ethereal timbre of the guitar parts. The sonic wave of the guitar juxtaposes with the clarity of the vocals. I love how they work together, ebbing and flowing in unison. Overall, this track sums up the sonic texture of the album. The tone changes and evolves, but the sonic concepts of unity and harmony stay true throughout.