“Against My Will” is the latest single by The Sons Of James, a melodic punk rock based in Florida. It’s their first song in 2024 and a proper follow-up of “Boswell,” “The Real Me,” and “All They Told You,” three outstanding singles released last year. However, “Against My Will” natural progression of the band that never ceases to amaze. Perhaps melodic punk rock is still their primary sonic direction, but this particular track showcases their exploration into the skate-punk universe. You’ll still notice some hints of pop-punk, indie rock, and skater rock, but The Sons of James upgraded their sound to the max. This style suits them well, as the entire song showcases their experience, knowledge, skills, talent, ideas, musicianship, and ability to breathe fresh air into this longevous music genre. Therefore, these experimentations with several music genres resulted in a catchy, melodic, ear-appealing song that will appeal to all the die-hard skate punk fans.
As soon as you press play, you’ll immediately notice a huge shift in sound. Unlike their previous songs, which were in mid-tempo, “Against My Will” introduces much faster beats that perfectly apply to the song’s ambiance. The drummer showcases all his skills by delivering top-notch performances based on energetic beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics. He dictates groove and pace, but also keeps the remainder of the band in line. Of course, the bass guitar acts as a binding element between drums and guitars, but it also immensely supports guitars with equally complex, vividly hearable, warm-sounding notes. The rhythm section plays a significant role in this sonic equation, and you’ll instantly hear how much attention they paid while assembling the foundations of their new single.
The guitars shine in the mix by delivering heavily distorted riffs to the table. Both guitar players provide an outstanding performance with chord progressions on one side, while the lead guitar offers impressive themes and melodies on the other. These dualities always sound good, and The Sons Of James made a wise decision by implementing them into their new song. It’s also good to mention that guitars shape a perfect backdrop for an outstanding vocal performance, which expertly glides over low, mid, and high notes. The symbiosis between vocals and guitar is nearly mindblowing, and they’re solely responsible why this song sounds so irresistible, hypnotic, catchy, and anthemic.
Besides all the instrumentations, The Sons Of James also thought about sound quality, and you’ll notice how “Against My Will” shines with all the contemporary trends in music production. Every instrument is equally present in the mix, so you’ll hear even the tiniest details and nuances. The Sons Of James completely nailed with their latest single. “Against My Will” carries everything you need from a modern skate punk msuic, while simultaneously carrying all the pop-punk, indie, and skater rock elements. From vocal and guitar performances to powerful low-ends and energetic rhythmic support, they once again delivered a melodic punk rock masterpiece worth repeating over again. The single is available on all streaming platforms. Don’t miss it!
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