With their latest EP, Hiding Games, Safe To Say have held on to the strongest aspects of their previous sound, while being adventurous enough to introduce new elements and stylistic traits, to their immense benefit. On their 2013 LP, With Everything in Between, the quartet perfected the formula for uncluttered, powerful, grunge inflected alt-rock, and on "Summer Sickness" this remains, but it's embellished with more nuanced changes in pacing and greater attention to hooks, which are now more memorable and frequent than ever, throughout the set.
This is in part, due to the flexibility of Brad Garcia's voice on this record, which cycles from the half-shouts found on "Bracelets" to the quiet harmonies and crescendos found on "Lull (Heaven Knows)," to the bold and memorable high notes in the chorus of "Near Enough." Hiding Games finds Garcia at his most versatile yet, and also showcases the broad scope of influences on the band's writing: "When I'm Not Here" infuses lead riffs that are reminiscent of early Brand New and "Zoey" brings bouncy, jangling pop-oriented verse lines into the mix.
Overall, Hiding Games showcases Safe To Say at their strongest yet, and is a bold step in the right direction.
(New Damage)This is in part, due to the flexibility of Brad Garcia's voice on this record, which cycles from the half-shouts found on "Bracelets" to the quiet harmonies and crescendos found on "Lull (Heaven Knows)," to the bold and memorable high notes in the chorus of "Near Enough." Hiding Games finds Garcia at his most versatile yet, and also showcases the broad scope of influences on the band's writing: "When I'm Not Here" infuses lead riffs that are reminiscent of early Brand New and "Zoey" brings bouncy, jangling pop-oriented verse lines into the mix.
Overall, Hiding Games showcases Safe To Say at their strongest yet, and is a bold step in the right direction.