Tuesday, September 5, 2017

“You and Drugs” by The Federal Empire – A Song Review

     “You and Drugs” has its foundation built on elements of Electronica, Rock and Pop, yet has all the energy of a foot-tapping, alcohol-enhanced, hootenanny-style shindig. Even the Rock guitar bridge (beginning at 2:19) has a hootenanny vibe. On the other hand, the lyrics are a great distance from being festive, since they compare a physically gratifying relationship to an unhealthy connection to drugs. The contrast of the melody to the message is one reason “You and Drugs” holds up favorably when the song is given a listener’s full attention.

     According to the content on SubmitHub:
  “The new single ‘You and Drugs’ was written after some really toxic, on again/off again, late night, hook up relationships. It is a commentary on our instant gratification culture where we all want that high of drugs, but we all end up feeling empty or lost after it. So we wanted to ask the question ‘what's the difference between You and Drugs?”. They are basically the same. Relationships are drugs, our phones and social media are drugs etc. We want quick and easy. In the end, the song hinges on that point in life where you are over the instant gratification and toxic experience with ‘drugs’ and you want real love. You want something that lasts and fills you up. It is harder work and commitment but so much more rewarding.”

     The Federal Empire creatively incorporate interesting features into “You and Drugs” without allowing the features to distract from the melody. As one example, the chorus of “Between you and drugs” is introduced by a count of “One, two, one, two” that ends with a "drug-induced" slurred syllable. And the periodic whistle has the quality of a Spaghetti Western of Clint Eastwood fame, but doesn't last long enough to be designated as an "Indie Whistle."

     The core members of The Federal Empire are Chad Wolf and McKay Stevens. They are based in Los Angeles, but two performances in the next few days will be in Washington state”
Emo Nite at The Echo/Echoplex in Los Angeles September 5th
The Winston House w/ X Ambassadors in Venice, CA September 7th
Chinook Festival in Naches, WA September 9th
The High Dive in Seattle, WA September 10th

     “You and Drugs” by The Federal Empire


Lyrics of “You and Drugs” by The Federal Empire
You call me up again
Half past midnight
I don’t know why
I can’t say no this time
Addicted to a feeling that’s killing me
Losing myself in between these sheets

It’s a real quick fix, so I take a hit
But I think I’ve had enough
I drink your medicine, dress it up as love
What’s the difference
What’s the difference

One, two, one, two…
Between you and drugs [Repeat 3x]

I can feel your poison in my veins
And I still keep coming back again
Will I ever quit I ask myself
I’m slowly losing hope inside this hell

One, two
It’s a real quick fix, so I take a hit
But I think I’ve had enough
I drink your medicine, dress it up as love
What’s the difference
What’s the difference

One, two, one, two…
Between you and drugs [Repeat 3x]

Cause I want love
I want love
Not your drugs
I want love
I want love
I want love
Not your drugs
I want love

It’s a real quick fix so I take a hit
But I think I’ve had enough
I drink your medicine, dress it up as love
What’s the difference
What’s the difference

One, two, one, two…
Between you and drugs [Repeat 3x]

Cause I want love
I want love
Not your drugs
I want love
I want love
I want love
Not your drugs
I want love

No comments:

Post a Comment