Spotlight: All Systems Go Releases, “Don’t Let Me Go”
Everyone has reached a low point in their life at some point. Whether that is financially, spiritually, emotionally, academically, or physically. But who did you reach out to during those moments? Was it a friend? A crisis text line? A family member? Sometimes we all just need some support and to know that we aren’t completely alone. That someone cares deeply about us. And today’s spotlight goes to a band that asks their fans to reach out for support if they are in a dark spot.
All Systems Go
This 4-piece pop-punk band has truly captured the sound of New Jersey. Based in Delran, NJ, the band has known each other for a very long time. Officially forming in 2016 (but had played together in high school, 2011-2013), All Systems Go has had incredible success and made numerous memories since. Their lineup consists of Matt Pezza (vocals/guitar), Devin Kollmar (vocals/guitar), Dean Mason (bass), and Joe Codispo (drums). One of their most notable years was 2019, with their release of Garden State Skies. Garden State Skies is currently signed to a deal with well-known LA producer David Snow’s publishing company, HipKat Entertainment who also mixed the record for them. The band finished 2019 strong with ASG finished a strong year with their sophomore record, an EP entitled The Waiting Room, which was released on December 6, 2019. With a current average of over 400 monthly listeners on Spotify, New Jersey has provided the band with incredible support and love. The pandemic has been hard for All Systems Go as they became forced to push their content virtually. That being said, it certainly didn’t stop them. You can check out our blog post about their prior release, “The One Where They Ride Off Into The Sunset” here and our OnlyBands podcast where we chatted to the band about, “No One Does Homecoming Like Us” which was released in October of Last year, here.
“Don’t Let Me Go”
When you’re in a dark spot, who do you reach out to? It is so important for anyone and everyone in a dark spot to remember that you are not alone. All Systems Go talks about this importance in their latest release, “Don’t Let Me Go”. Produced by Man Overboard’s Nik Bruzzese, Dean Mason (Bass) takes the song to the next level by talking about just that. In “Don’t Let Me Go” Dean reflects on a hard time in his life and how he reached out for help when he needed it. Because it is okay to ask for help and it is okay to be in hard spots. The song vocally is an uplifting reminder about how it is okay to not be okay, and that no matter what, there is always someone in our corner wanting to help us out. Instrumentally, the song takes a slower introduction that builds up quickly to an energetic twist to pop punk. The song has clear influences from Simple Plan, State Champs,. and Seaway. While the song may be darker vocally, the instrumentals add a unique uplifting sound that makes one want to dance and scream at the sky. “Don’t Let Me Go” is the true embodiment of 2022 that everyone can take with them into the year, to remember the importance of reaching out. Whether that is to a friend, a text line, a hotline, a family member, or truly anyone, the importance of remembering that no one is alone is impossible to overstate. 2021 was a harsh year for many, and featured a lot of isolation. “Don’t Let Me Go” is a strong reminder of many unsaid words that so many have felt as a result of the quarantine period. As many begin to resume normal lives, “Don’t Let Me Go” has come out at the time when we need it most.
Overall
It is now clear that All Systems Go has once again released a song with perfect timing. “Don’t Let Me Go” is the pop-punk version of stating that it is okay to not be okay and you are not alone. With clear influences from many famous pop-punk bands, this song has perfectly fit All Systems Go’s discography, while creating some unique twists to their works.
Written by: Blake Matthews (he/him)
