REVIEW: Backyard Superheroes Releases, “Music In My Head”
Every day new music is released. And every day, there is music that makes you want to dance and have some fun. There is also that music that will make you want to cry or scream in anger. The many different songs that are out there, all create a message that there is something for everyone to bop to. Today’s review will be talking about a unique and groovy song that can make anyone get into a fun mood. This is a great song for those who want to use Opposite Action (A Dialectical Behavior Therapy skill) or for those that are just having a good time.
Who are Backyard Superheroes?
The Pop-ska, leaning pop-rock ska band based out of New Jersey, has a very strong ethics message to their brand: inclusivity. Backyard Superheroes has been gaining traction within the New Jersey music scene with the help of vocalist and guitar player, Josh Pizza-Hershkovitz. Josh (he/him) has been helping the band succeed through having fun with music and tightening the ska community with side projects. The band has been around since 2012 with their debut single, “Falling With Style” and since, has put out several albums. Most recently, in 2020, was featured on a project called, “The NPC’s”. The NPC’s had released around Christmas 2020 an album titled, “Arose Such A Clatter” with all funds raised on the bandcamp going to Marine’s Toys For Tots. Backyard Superheroes and all bands on the album were very successful in raising over $2,000 for the charity. Backyard Superheroes had also put out a music video for the featured song, “Quarantine Christmas” which you can find here.
“Music In My Head”
The song starts out with an almost tropical vibe that quickly builds up with the help of the drums to a very energetic and slightly poppy vibe. The vocals are bold and energetic that support the energy of the instruments. Lyrically, the words used are simple, catchy, and easy to sing along to. The song has a very clear message of, “getting so lost in music that the craziness of real-life and our daily thoughts just…don’t matter anymore when we throw on our headphones” according to the band. One might agree that the message is clear enough and one that we can all understand. The bass adds an extra layer of depth to the song. The vibe from the song is something you can see yourself listening to as you’re dancing on the beach in Hawaii with headphones on. The riffs from the guitars add an almost rock-like feel to the song that helps this song break boundaries between pop and rock. The horns are timed well and help to create that tropical vibe. The song in its entirety, has a very Backyard Superheroes feel song while showing that the band can talk about anything in music and make it sound fun.
It should also be noted that all proceeds from this song via Bandcamp in May/June will be going towards the Asbury Park LGBTQ Health Center. It is starting to seem like a trend that Backyard Superheroes will donate some of their proceeds to charities which is a very special and important message they share. That is that love is love and to do good in the world. This special idea, to donate money made from music to shows is something that the music scene needs more of. Backyard Superheroes appear to only do good with their music.
Overall
Backyard Superheroes are a very underrated and appreciated band. “Music In My Head” adds a very positive and fun message to the band’s discography. The truth is that Backyard Superheroes can talk about any story, any emotion, feeling, or vibe and make it into a fun and groovy song. While the band has been around for a while (2012) it is clear that they are not going anywhere. “Music In My Head” has a very simplistic, yet sing-along vibe to the song where everyone ends up putting on their dancing shoes. It is clear after this release that ska is certainly not dead. Overall, it is a great release with the money going to a great cause.
Written by: Blake Matthews (he/him)
