First impressions are of the utmost importance, right? Right. That is because of the long-term impact they have on any person and people. That being the case, up-and-coming rock outfit Onlap has made quite the first impression with its latest album, Waves. Released last month through AFM Records, the 12-song record is actually the band’s third overall but its major label debut, with its first two albums having been released independently. The 42-minute album creates a first impression that should rock radio stations here in the U.S. give it a chance, is sure to give the band a long life and large audience. That is proven through its musical arrangements and lyrical themes. ‘Ready For War,’ one of the album’s later entries, serves well to make that clear. ‘Never Too Late,’ the album’s midpoint, is another example of how the record’s musical and lyrical content come together to make the presentation so strong. Much the same can be said of ‘Hypnotized,’ the album’s second entry. When this song and the others noted here are considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole presents Waves as a record that given the right support here in the U.S., is sure to make plenty of waves among modern and active rock radio stations and fans alike.
Waves, the debut album from Onlap, is a strong first outing for the up-and-coming rock outfit. The record’s appeal comes through its combined musical and lyrical content. This is made clear throughout the record, not the least point of which being ‘Ready For War.’ Coming late in the album’s 43-minute run time, the song sets a decidedly contemplative mood through its arrangement. The deeply emotional melodic rock arrangement is grounded through the duality in the vocals, which in the verses are brooding but so much more determined and powerful in the choruses. It is bolstered even more through its string arrangement and the punch from the drums. The whole makes the arrangement overall comparable to heavier, more emotional works from the likes of Five Finger Death Punch.
The noted duality in the moods set through the verses and choruses makes sense especially in considering the easily accessible lyrical theme, which centers – it would seem – on overcoming one’s personal emotional battles. This as front man Guillaume Martin sings in the song’s lead chorus (Which opens the song) and verse, “I’ve been waiting for a sign/I’ve overcome my darkest nights/I am ready/As my enemy hits the ground/I will be standing one more time/I am ready/Ready for war/I’ve been hiding in silence/I was a million miles away/Building walls of resilience/Inside of me/The good days are gone/I’ve gotta face the unknown/It was just the calm before the storm.” In other words, this is someone who has gone through a lot of emotional turmoil but still is ready to face so much because of what he or she has faced. The message continues in the song’s second verse with Martin singing, “I can feel all the violence/As I jump into the fray/Guided by my own conscience/Into dismay/Hey/All this time that I spent on my own/Hey/I prepared for the day that would come/It was just the calm before the storm.” Again, this is someone who knows that is to come but is also prepared to face what is coming. It is a message of personal strength and determination. It is a message that will resonate with listeners just as much as with so many other songs out there that present this welcome message. When the song’s deeply emotional musical arrangement is paired with this easily accessible message, the whole makes the song stand out even more as an example of how much the album’s overall content offers audiences.
Another song featured in this record that shows the strength of its overall content comes a little earlier in its nearly 45-imnute run time in the form of ‘Never Too Late.’ Featuring guest vocals from fellow up-and-comer, American singer-songwriter Kiiara, the song presents a musical arrangement that could fit just as easily on any Adult Contemporary radio station as rock station what with its pop sensibilities. The airy, piano-led arrangement actually conjures thoughts of some of the poppier ballads from the likes of Nickelback and even some pop artists who are popular right now. It is one of those arrangements that will easily tug at any listener’s heart strings, to simplify its explanation.
That lighter but still deeply emotional arrangement helps to reassure listeners as it reminds them that “It’s never too late/To throw it all away/And start again/To get another chance/To kill this pain.” This as Martin sings in the song’s lead verse, “Late at night/You never sleep/Your biggest fears are knocking at the door so hard/The same worries pile up in your head/The more you think and the more you fade away/Sometimes you feel you’re taking the wrong direction/I know you’ve got your own demons and regrets/I’ll be your candle/And now hear me/when I say/It’s never too late/To throw it all away/And start again.” The reminder continues late in the song, in its second verse as Martin adds, “Don’t wait ‘til you come undone/Today could be the start of a new frame/Your story has just begun/Your time has come/Take it all/It’s your only option after all.” In other words, taking that new road, that new risk in life, is the only choice so just do it and make the most of this chance. Again, this is hardly the first time that any song, rock, pop or otherwise has presented such a message and it is just as welcome here as in those other points. When it is paired with the song’s somewhat schmaltzy musical arrangement, the whole continues to show the importance of Waves’ musical and lyrical content.
One more song featured in Waves that exhibits the power of its overall content comes even earlier in its run in the form of ‘Hypnotized.’ The immediate impact from the song’s musical arrangement is a comparison to works from the likes of Theory of a Deadman, Nickelback, and so many others of that ilk. It is perhaps the single easiest fit for any modern rock radio station’s daily play list, keeping that in mind. It has that balance of heaviness and pop leaning. To that end, it is yet another arrangement that is sure to become an earworm among audiences who take in the album.
The energy in the song’s easily accessible musical arrangement is fitting considering the song’s lyrical theme, which centers on a person trying to figure out, “Is this love?/Is this heaven?” as he sings, “So many feelings right now/Circling.” So right off the bat we get someone who is fighting with himself, trying to figure out what he is feeling. The mixed thoughts continue in the song’s second verse, which asks, “Fall from grace?/ before the man reassures himself, “Not a chance/It feels so special/So magical/Here and now/Hurricane/A tidal wave/It sounds perfect/Life looks brilliant/Give me more of this/I’m out of control/About to blow/Hell/I’ve been caught in the undertow/So toxic/But I can’t get enough.” From there he tells the woman in question over whom he is so crazy that she has him hypnotized and that “It’s like I’ve won my final war/Without a fight.” This is someone who is completely infatuated. It is a mindset to which plenty of listeners can relate, as it is just part of the human condition. To that end, the emotions and thoughts expressed here and through the song’s musical arrangement make it another definite favorite among audiences who give Waves a chance. When this song and the others examined here are considered along with the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes the album a presentation that is solid from start to finish. In turn, the album proves to be a solid major bale debut for Onlap.
Waves, the latest album from Onlap and its major label debut, is a positive first major label impression from the up-and-coming rock outfit. The enjoyment and engagement that it ensures comes through its musical and lyrical content alike. All three of the songs examined here make that clear. When those songs are considered alongside the rest of the album’s entries, the whole makes Waves another welcome addition to this year’s field of new rock albums and a first major label impression that gives hope for the band’s future.
Waves is available now through AFM Records. More information on the album is available along with all of the band’s latest news at https://www.facebook.com/ONLAP.Official.
