“So Long (Portal Hopper)” is a new track by Mothman and The Thunderbirds, a music outlet of Philadelphia-based musician and produced Alex Parkinson. It’s his second piece of work in 2024, serving as an adequate follow-up of “Ruby Skies,” another excellent single you should check out as soon as possible. Together, these two tracks announce Mothman and The Thunderbirds’ upcoming full-length release “Portal Hopper,” slated for release on July 12th. Soundwise, Mothman and The Thunderbirds combine many different but complementary music genres to depict such rich and luxurious sonic imagery. Perhaps progressive rock comes to mind first, but you’ll notice how other rock subgenres found their way into this sonic equation. Don’t be surprised if you stumble upon synth rock, hard rock, experimental rock, art-rock, psych-rock, alternative, and metal along the way because this experienced musician fully stacked his latest song with everything you ever wanted from a prog-rock song. Mothman and The Thunderbirds use all these additional elements as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details to uplift this track on an entirely new level while simultaneously remaining loyal to the primary sonic direction. Their experimentations with different but complementary music styles resulted in an exceptional composition that would appeal to even the pickiest listeners.
Mothman and The Thunderbirds thought about everything while writing, composing, arranging, and producing this song. You’ll notice how “So Long (Portal Hopper)” contains a perfect song structure stacked with many segments and garnered with impressive musicianship. This number demands multiple listenings until you grasp everything this skillful songwriter, musician, and composer implemented into it. The vocal arrangements unquestionably stand out in this sonic equation. You’ll hear how the lead vocal harmonies command attention and guide your listening apparatus on this ear-appealing sonic journey by expertly balancing low, mid, and high notes. Mothman and The Thunderbirds also incorporated many back vocals and singalongs, which undoubtedly enhanced and decorated almost every section of this track. In the meantime, all the instrumentations serve as an adequate backdrop for all the vocal articulations to shine upon. The keys play a significant role by delivering arpeggiated leads, sequences, leads, themes, melodies, and harmonies. Mothman and The Thunderbirds planned every sonic maneuver, so you’ll notice these sonic acrobatics as soon as you press play.
Of course, this song wouldn’t sound this good without guitars. You’ll notice how raw, catchy, heavy, powerful riffs immensely support keys and vocals from scratch to finish. The generous servings of distortion are the perfect contrast to the keys, which act as a more melodic side of “So Long (Portal Hopper).” Mothman and The Thunderbirds also thought about the rhythm section. You’ll hear how equally complex, vividly hearable, warm-sounding basslines offer more than necessary support to all those mentioned instrumentations by delivering heaviness, clarity, and depth while simultaneously binding everything together. In the meantime, the perfectly programmed rhythmic sequences based upon energetic, well-accentuated beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics dictate the groove and tempo while keeping everything in line. “So Long (Portal Hopper)” showcases Alex Parkinson’s creativity, talent, ideas, musicianship, knowledge, and experience. It’s one of those tracks that define the genius of an artist who knows his sonic direction while experimenting to the max. You should put Mothman and The Thunderbirds on your radar as soon as possible. The single is available on all streaming platforms. Don’t miss it!
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