Capturing the sights, sounds and emotions associated with forging ahead and ringing in the new year, Brooklyn indie-electronic band EXNATIONS kicks off 2020 with "11:59," the New Year's anthem every sad kid needs to hear. Comprised of Sal Mastrocola, Taylor Hughes, and John O'Neill, the emerging trio has graced our ears with their outstanding Pink Haze EP during the past year, and followed up with a national tour to promote the new tunes.
The distant, hazy echo of "You barely held on this year" introduces "11:59" and sets the lyrical tone of the song. Weaving in glimmering snapshots of NYE imagery (spent champagne, cigarettes, sequins flashing, silver ball), the lyrical theme is one that will resonate with those for which the old and the new are often riddled with challenges and uncertainty.
The gentle synth backdrop at the start creates the sensation of a slow, steadily-ticking clock - a dream-like atmosphere that hints that hope and change are in sight. Sal's emotive, restrained vocals at the start eventually give way to a resounding and determined "That's OK, I'm barely hanging on too" that presents a sort of emotional camaraderie to the listener: So many of us are weary from our journeys, but this year is going to be different. The energy and vibe builds to a climactic, let-it-all-out New Year's resolution that explodes with resilience and hope.
"This is my New Year's resolution:
I may be a little older, but I still feel young
Yeah, I've been cut down, but I'm not done
Waiting outside your apartment in the January air
Making circles with my footsteps in the snow
I feel some kind of different
I don't know what you see behind the bags under my eyes
But I'll be damned if I don't find it in myself ...this year"
11:59 does a stellar job of capturing the raw emotion, honesty and uncertainty that accompany us as we embark on another orbit around the sun. Perhaps 11:59 might become your New Year's anthem and a beacon of hope and determination.
The band has also released a trailer for an upcoming accompanying music video for "11:59" - check it out below.
EXNATIONS | 11:59 (Trailer)
For more information about EXNATIONS, visit their official website, follow them on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube), and find their music on SoundCloud, Spotify and Apple Music.