An Unleashing of Creativity Posted August 09, 2021 By GraceChaves_NRT, Staff Reviewer
What You Need To Know
Switchfoot is an alt-rock band that has been making music since 1997. years. Since the release of their album Learning to Breathe featuring the hit song "Dare You To Move," the band has been making a profound impact in the music industry. The band has released many crossover singles, and their songs have found their way into movies like A Walk To Remember, Unbroken: Path to Redemption, and many others. Over the past 24 years, Switchfoot has been reaching people with this simple message: hope is the anthem. Their songs are brimming with hope, while also asking questions about life and faith. Their new 11-track album Interrobang continues in that theme and provides listeners with a thought-provoking soundtrack.
What it Sounds Like
I was slightly skeptical about Interrobang at first. It's different from anything Switchfoot has released before, but at the same time, it's an album that only Switchfoot could make. It's filled with creativity. From front to back, the album has an experimental sound mixed with those classic Switchfoot guitar riffs. From the energetic track "Splinter" to the deeper sounding "Wolves," the band shows off their musical abilities throughout the record. They pushed the boundaries of genres and somehow created a record that is so unique to Switchfoot. Interrobang blended all the sounds of rock and pop, and together it formed an outstanding album. Switchfoot took a risk with Interrobang, and it certainly paid off.
Spiritual Highlights
"i need you (to be wrong)" was our first taste of this new era of Switchfoot music, and it really is the song that shapes this whole album. Both lyrically and musically, it sets the stage for the rest of these songs. We need each other, and that's the theme of this whole record. Our world is divided, and this album invites listeners to look at the perspective of others. "if i were you" captures that with the question, "If I were you/And you were me/Would we still be doomed to disagree?" In a world full of confusion and hate, the Bible still says, "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." We always want to be right, and we always want things to happen our own way. But the truth is--whether we're right or wrong-- we're all made in the image of God. Unity is possible, and that's the overarching theme in these songs.
Best Song on the Record
Every single track on this record is unique, and each one is different from the other. But the stand-out song would have to be "beloved." It's a powerful, timely anthem. The song is a cry for change, and it speaks of where our world is currently at. Originally, I was confused as to why Switchfoot would name their album Interrobang. An interrobang is a punctuation that looks like a question mark and an exclamation point. But "beloved" is the perfect example of this. It's filled with both questioning and hope. The opening line, "Maybe all the world is insecure, maybe all of us are looking for a cure," exemplifies this questioning and longing. While the chorus provides a possibility of hope, "If only I could open up my eyes, would the truth be what would set me free?" The song captures this tug-of-war between questioning and the longing for answers in a beautiful way. "beloved" truly defines the meaning of Interrobang.
Final Word Interrobang marks a new era for Switchfoot. 2020 was a hard year, but out of it came so much incredible music; including this new record. This is one of the most creative albums we've seen from Switchfoot, and I'm so excited to see what else they have up their sleeve. They always have a way of coming up with songs that are relatable and relevant, and they accomplished that once again with this new album. Even after 24 years as a band, Switchfoot still continues to innovate and come up with unique ways to make music. They continue to inspire me, and they're truly leaving a legacy. Their music means so much to me, and they keep blowing me away with their endless flow of creativity. Interrobang proved that Switchfoot has some serious talent. You can listen to Interrobang on August 20 on Spotify or Apple Music.
