[Review] Ignescent – Calling Out to You “the songwriting that separates the good bands from the great”
‘Calling Out to You’ is an emotionally driven rock ballad of sorts that comes through with a notably punk-pop edge, driving the song’s instrumentation with both grit and effective melody. The song’s hook is the main selling point, but it’s the contrast between this and the somewhat more mellow, Avril-inspired verse sections. Therefore, structurally speaking, the song has been written and crafted with all of the right things in mind.
The band have a sound that could easily be considered somewhere at the cross-roads between mainstream pop and alternative rock or indie. The leading vocalist has something of a pop voice for the most part, though never lacking power; it’s one that occasionally slips into a smooth string of notes, perhaps showing influence from or paying tribute to some of the great soul-pop singers from yesteryear. It’s a brief comparison, but it makes for an interesting angle. As mentioned, the voice comes through with strength during those chorus sections, and this is where the weight of the song really hits. The instrumentation multiplies, the passion and power of the vocal performance intensifies, and the moment is hugely memorable.
The honesty of the lyrics is commendable and something which, despite the volume and distortion of the instrumentation, reaches out and connects in a very gentle and even vulnerable manner. This touch of humanity is forever valuable in music, regardless of genre. The whole thing has been composed and performed to an extremely high standard, and as stated – there are one or two elements that really gives this a stamp of identity. When all is said and done, it’s the songwriting that separates the good bands from the great, and this release definitely has something special in terms of that key moment, that hook.
By Rebecca Cullen
Rebecca is a Musician and writer from Manchester, UK, with an MA in Song Writing
