Perish - “God I’m Freaking Out”
Photo by Aubrey Dockery
From Brooklyn, New York, Perish have returned to us with “God I’m Freaking Out,” the final single from their debut, self-titled EP.
Originally conceived as a slower, piano-driven ballad, “God I’m Freaking Out” is a fully-fleshed spoonful of indie rock with delicious hints of folk coursing through its veins. With wide, effected guitars and a vintage-kissed rhythm section, fans of Big Thief and Sharon Van Etten will find themselves right at home amidst the track’s raw, passionately intense sound.
And while the arrangement is more than worth the price of admission, the vocal performance lands a magnificent cherry on top. Singer-songwriter Katie Callahan has been blessed with the instinct for writing relatable lyrics, as well as the kind of voice that wraps itself around your heart strings, all the while maintaining a production that does not give in to the modern pressures of digital manipulation.
From the song’s quiet, intimate outset to the dynamic and robust addition of elements throughout its duration, “God I’m Freaking Out” delves into the desire for alone time, whether for emotional processing or for exploring the perils of one’s earthly existence. Wide, gritty guitars hammer down the song’s ability to stand tall among its rock peers, while not at all inhibiting its quiet perch upon the branches of indie folk.