REVIEW: flipturn’s “Burnout Days (Reimagined)” brings new light to sophomore album
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY NINA KUDLACZ ☆
ON MARCH 13, INDIE ROCK BAND FLIPTURN released “Burnout Days (Reimagined)," a reimagined version of their sophomore album “Burnout Days.”
All twelve songs off the album were remixed and redone by different artists whom they’ve shared the stage with at previous shows, artists from their home state and even members of their own band.
Some artists kept original components to the songs while others metamorphosed the tracks completely, offering new perspectives and celebrating creativity and collaboration.
The album begins with "Juno (Remix)" featuring Druzin, flipturn guitarist Mitch Fountain’s DJ persona. Druzin’s remix places a fresh twist on a previously synth-heavy song. The original version of the song experiments with synth riffs, Druzin’s expertise, allowing for the remix to expand on that. Refreshing to the ears, this track is the perfect mix of indie and synthpop music you can listen to with the windows down on a summer day or at the club with your friends.
Following the opener is "Rodeo Clown (Reimagined),” featuring indie folk singer-songwriter Odie Leigh. The lead single for their sophomore album when it first released, “Rodeo Clown” quickly became one of their most streamed songs on the album. The reimagined track opens with lead singer Dillon Basse’s original vocals, and quickly introduces Leigh’s bright harmonies that lead into the chorus. The second verse consisted of Leigh’s original lyrics and vocals, changing the lens and adding to the already warm and beachy tune.
"Inner Wave (Reimagined)" features Winyah, a five-piece indie rock band from South Carolina. The entirety of the song features Winyah’s lead singer Thomas Rowland’s vocals and a remarkable guitar riff during the bridge. Winyah’s musical influences are wonderfully aligned with flipturn’s, making for a seamless collaboration on the track; it simply can’t get more indie than this. Winyah’s version tows the line of preserving the song’s foundation and enriching it with their additions.
Singer-songwriter Jack Van Cleaf delivers a stripped-down version of the album’s fourth song, "Sunlight (Reimagined)." Van Cleaf sings on the majority of the track, with harmonies from Basse throughout the later half of the song, adding a level of sincerity and warmth. Van Cleaf’s version warps the song’s meaning, taking the mood from angst and frustration to a place of almost understanding. The lower pitched instrumentals match the lyrics and messaging, and the desperation in both Van Cleaf and Basse’s vocals throughout the outro enhances the emotion.
Alternative rock band Rohna places punk influences into “Moon Rocks (Reimagined)” as the album approaches its pinnacle. The song features heavier focals and a steady bassline throughout the chorus, which acts as the driving pulse of the song. The added guitar lines and varying drums allow for the reimagined version to stand out from its older counterpart.
Halfway through the album, indie band mercury transforms"Right? (Reimagined)" with smooth, rich vocals that contrast with the heavier drums featured on the track. Lead singer Maddie Kerr begins the song gently and beautifully leads it to its heavier conclusion.
Similarly, "Window (Reimagined)," featuring indie folk band lighthearted, brightens the song with soft vocals and layered harmonies. Just like their name, lighthearted graced the song with angelic and airy vocals that transcend the original track.
With note changes and dreamy instrumentals, British singer-songwriter Eleni Drake completely transforms "Swim Between Trees (Reimagined)." An exceptional spin on the beautiful love song, this piano melody adds a layer to the already powerful ode to love.
Indie band The Brazen Youth softens the song “Tides (Reimagined)" with muted vocals and lighter instrumentals. Simple differences like calmer vocalizations during the bridge completely change the tone of the song. This version indicates acceptance in the lyrics, such as “change is coming,” a delightful difference from the original.
Teal Peel, which includes flipturn bassist Madeline Jarman, stripped "Reason To Pretend (Reimagined) down for a completely reinvented version of the song. Teal Peel collaborated with flipturn to release a music video for this single, as Jack Van Cleaf and lighthearted did for each of their respective tracks. Elegantly and simply made, the track is somewhat reminiscent of flipturn's acoustic version of “August.” Jarman’s vocals on the second verse strengthen the originality of the song and define its essence.
The stark difference in the instrumentals on "If It Is (Reimagined),” redone by indie rock band Susto, puts an emphasis on the song’s amazing lyricism. The change in production redesigns the song as a whole, giving a whole new meaning to the lyrics and the message behind it.
Ending the album with the title track, "Burnout Days (Reimagined)" keeps the starry instrumentals and Basse’s original vocals for the first half and features brilliant harmonies in the second half. Rock duo Old Mervs expands on the passion and intensity with their version of the song, brilliantly concluding the reconceptualized album.
