Written by Eric Sperrazza
Music can be a time capsule of a specific moment in pop culture. It can even be a loving homage to the artists and sounds that came before them. In the case of San Jose breakout band, Goldview, their sound is both.
Previously opening for acts like Young Culture and Lil Lotus, Goldview just released a 3-Song Ep on March 10th entitled Chapters of the Heart, I was able to hear the album ahead of schedule and hear Goldview’s attempt to give voice to other’s feelings, en masse, and attract the next level of exposure of their vibe to the world.
All three songs, “Believe,” “Chemical” and the first single off the album, “Brave,” have a running theme to them – relationships. Be it relationships with potential new fans, dysfunctional relationships, or the courage to put yourself out there in a new relationship, the band pulled back the curtain and displayed deep cuts and vulnerable footings. However, the music of the band defies the depth of content with the joyful slide through a cavalcade of sound.
Today’s R & B hitmakers like The Weeknd have brought the synth 80’s style back, retro. Goldview tips the hat to not only that time in song creation but also reflects the current state of cool, flawlessly while still leaning heavily into the genre of pop-punk. You even find melodic gang choruses sprinkled throughout the track, Brave, akin to a more glam rock feel akin to Queen.
At times, while listening to the album, I found myself thinking that I had stumbled upon the unrealized soundtrack to a modern anime film. In that thought, it all fell into place in framing up the listening experience of Goldview…the songs reflect a generation brought up on bands like Sum 41, The Struts, Simple Plan, Mayday Parade & Paramore as well as Soulful singers of the modern era the likes of Drake and more. All while living in a world where Pokemon, My Hero Academia and Demon Hunter ruled the front of every graphic tee in the store. This band is a love letter to sounds that came before but, moreover, they are a snapshot of the life experience of their generation. Keep in mind, there is something for everyone in their work that will hit…even for a Gen-X’er like myself that came from the world of the Ramones, Sweet and Akira.
Look for the video to Brave due out soon and check out Chapters of an Open Heart that was released on March 10th!
