Beat100 is pleased to introduce Ideawake’s latest chart thumping, rock crunching head banging extravaganza; Seeing things. With summer slowly inching its way towards us it’s been great to see such lively, happy music throughout the charts and Ideawake are one of the best new bands we’ve seen.
Ideawake recently headlined the Beat100 live event in London and were described as Southampton’s answer to Paramore by our events organiser Ben. With their incredible live performance, spellbinding stage presence and the sheer energy they bring to their music and the crowd I can’t argue at all; this is a band to watch and definitely one to see live.
Their latest entry to the Beat100 music charts “Seeing Things” is a lively, bouncy track that mixes an exciting modern rock and roll sound with some stunning lyrics and vocals. It’s very much a ‘get out there and get things done’ song and it’s not hard to envision thousands of people dancing around their living rooms to this epic song; though only when no one is watching of course! It’s a pop rock ballad through and through with lively riffs and an incredible sense of pace.
The vocalist, Charlotte Campbell, has a truly unique voice with a stunning range that allows her to mix pushing, rocky verses with a soft melodic chorus perfectly. We’ve already compared her to Paramore’s Hayley Williams but there’s something much more classic rock in her vocals and style which reminds me of classic female rock vocalist like Pat Benatar. The lyrics to the song very much set the overall tone and paint a great picture of love, searching and minor forms of madness! The lyrics make a great sing along rock anthem with tons of style and panache. Overall it creates a great feel good song with a very slightly dark edge.
The guitar work, from Mat Hillman and Chris Lock, is superb. As the song opens we get a nice steady riff before a perfect overlay of speed driven rock that very much reflects the styles of 80’s and 90’s pop rock with slightly more modern synth overtones. As the song progresses the main riff accentuates Charlotte’s vocals every step of the way giving them a complimentary kick and some extra bight. The interspersed bridges and mini solo’s show off the guitarist’s great talents and the slow walk for the chorus is beautiful.
Finally, the bass and drums, played respectively by Neil Field and Mark Rabbetts, give the song a pace and edge that bring cohesion to the in your face guitars and melodic but rocky vocals. It would be unfair to call the bass and drums the backdrop as it’s more the cohesion for the song; pushing the choruses and verses together and creating a steady harmony and rhythm for the song.
Overall Ideawake bring us happy go lucky rock at its finest and “seeing things” is one of their best songs. It’s great to see so much energy and enthusiasm from a band and we can’t wait to see them storming the world.
