“Float & Land” by Broken Fires – A Song Feature

 

      With their release of “Float & Land,” Broken Fires again showcase their ability to create a cavernous habitat for sound that obeys the laws of gases – such that the sound expands seamlessly to fill the volume of the space. A listener’s decision to leave the habitat early is an error, since the band’s skills can be fully appreciated only by listening to the entirety of “Float & Land” and its many chambers. The start of the song is dominated by vocals and lower frequency instrumentation. It bears little resemblance to the chiming, cavernous sound during much of the final 90 seconds.

 

      Carrying the reference to physics only one step further, the song is about inertia. “Float & Land” addresses the courage needed to get out from under a difficult relationship. Singer and guitarist Tom Stephens explains “I wrote the lyrics about a friend who I could see was in a toxic relationship that was falling apart, but worrying too much about someone else’s feelings rather than doing what they wanted to. Lots of people I know been there! I just felt like telling them - don’t be afraid to tear it all down and start again, you only get one go! But I knew they wouldn’t listen, so I thought I’d write this to get out my frustration I guess.” By the end of the 4.5 minutes you might find yourself questioning your life choices, just don’t end your relationship before thinking it through… 

 

     Our favorite portion of “Float & Land” begins at 2:20, when the drums play a key role in the build to the clamorous final 90 seconds. The three members of Broken Fires are guitarists, so the drummer is not readily identifiable. While talking about putting the song together, guitarist Justin Hendy said, “This was one that came together really quickly. We were in a real sweet spot with our writing. Tom had this riff and it all went from there. We co-wrote the outro on the spot, layered it all up on the demo and then went to the pub listening to it on headphones dead excited. Good times!” 

 

     The band is from Swansea, UK, and is formed of Tom Stephens (lead vocals, guitar), Gareth Carter (guitar) and Justin Hendy (guitar). “Float & Land” will be on their full-length album, “HYMNS,” which is scheduled for release on October 28 via Phwoar and Peace, an increasingly significant independent record label. Phwoar and Peace is based in Cardiff, Wales.

 

     “Float & Land” by Broken Fires

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brokenfires

Website: https://brokenfires.com/

Bandcamp: https://brokenfires.bandcamp.com/

     “Midnight” by Broken Fires – A second song from the upcoming “HYMNS” album

Lyrics of “Float & Land” by Broken Fires

Promises of youth remain,

On the pavement in the rain.

So young and timeless.

A plan so mathematical,

Calculated rational.

Not so easy to follow.

 

What if everything you need splinters and breaks without a sound?

What if everything you know just disappears and flickers out?

And the ground on which you stand cracks now.

Will you float and land somewhere better this time?

 

Silver linings hideaway,

They drifted back to ground that day.

Where we couldn’t see them.

 

You’ve built a home,

Full of people to lean on,

Don’t be afraid to pull it down.

 

There’s no need,

To hold on,

Don’t spend your time missing anyone,

No need,

Just float on,

Land somewhere your better off this time.