The Upsides – “Say Follow”
Photo by A L E X S. K. B R O W N
NYC four-piece The Upsides impress with the brooding and emotionally charged indie rock track “Say Follow.”
“Say Follow” is a song that’s hard to pin down. There are shades of acts like Nothing But Thieves, The Pale White, Circa Waves and Sundara Karma, yet nothing really comes close to capturing this melancholic but uplifting track. I would even say that there are hints of The Verve once you let the music seep under your skin. That said it is undeniable that The Upsides possess a rare intensity, unafraid to be loud or moody, while carrying a soul that shines brightly as they confidently weave their anthemic sound.
“Say Follow” is built around angst-fuelled rhythms, driven by pounding, off-kilter drums that give the track an unusual energy. The guitars constantly dazzle with layers of texture, all delivered with a refined clarity in the production that feels more like the work of a major-label outfit than an emerging indie band with one album under their belt. From that alone, you can only conclude that The Upsides mean business… and they have their sights set on conquering the world.
The vocals provide the perfect contrast, swaying effortlessly over the driving instrumentation with a soulful melodic performance. Firmly rooted in indie pop-rock, it elevates the song into something that feels genuinely universal. It brings real weight to the lyrics that explore the weight of self-imposed expectations, the relentless drive to prove your worth and asks whether independence can sometimes become a way of shutting others out.
This is another impressive release by The Upsides. Radio friendly and designed to tear the roof of any venue! The Upsides will be supporting Mo Lowda & The Humble for two shows on July 16th at Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, MA and July 17th at Artspace in Portsmouth, NH so if in town make sure you go and check them out.
“Say Follow” is out now via Dream Wolf Records.
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