Review: Highwind Releases, “Sleepless in L.A./Will You Please (Stay)”

Quarantine has been tricky for a lot of artists. Generally, this time period of the year is a time for artists to promote their past year’s music with shows. It’s a prime time in the spring season for networking, preparing for summer tours, and things alike. Because of the obvious lack of shows (thanks, COVID! :{ ), this has stopped many artists from releasing new music and gaining more listeners on streaming platforms. Luckily, for us, it has not stopped one artist in particular. In fact, this artist has released not one or two, but 4 (FOUR!) singles. It is almost as if he has done nothing more than creating music.

Credit: Kris Khunachak

Who is Highwind?

Highwind, the previously 2-piece band, now consists of just Christopher Russo Jr, (Chris) is based out of New Jersey. Highwind is considered to be pop-punk, leaning towards emo-pop-styled music. Chris (he/him) writes lyrics that empower others in dark and troubling mindsets to know that they are not alone and it’s okay to reach out for help. Highwind’s first EP, “How’ve You Been?” has aspects of heavy guitar riffs, a deep bass, and simple but meaningful drums with lyrics that ask the important questions. Highwind has been gaining attention from the music scene by being a genuinely good person and spreading loads of positivity at every show. 

Credit: Kris Khunachak

“Sleepless in L.A./Will You Please (Stay)” 

The single features two songs: “Sleepless in L.A” and “Will You Please (Stay)” and was released to the public on March 12, 2021, at midnight Eastern Standard Time. The first track, “Sleepless In L.A” has a guest vocalist- Sierra Binondo (she/her) who one might recall from the band With Sails Ahead, another band gaining traction within the New Jersey music scene. The first 10 seconds are filled with a pop-like guitar riff, that reminds you of music you might hear driving on Rodeo Drive, a famous road strip in Los Angeles. The next seconds build into a nice kick from the drums, and soft vocals that visualize a very common Los Angeles experience. The chorus adds a more rock-like feel to the song as if you can picture a couple of Los Angeles friends laughing and falling asleep around each other. Sierra’s vocals create a unique element that oddly (despite her Jersey speaking voice) reminds you of a Californian having a good time and creating a doubled dynamic that intensifies the vocals and lyrics. The song has a very upbeat and positive feeling which you might listen to when you are sad, to make yourself feel happy and fun. Overall, the sound is a unique addition to Highwind’s prior releases and builds on the new change of style.

“Will You Please (Stay)” is almost both similar and completely opposite of “Sleepless in L.A.” which features a very upbeat and fun first intro that you might hear if you were at a dance party with your best friends having a fantastic time. The energy from the instruments adds a very calm but positive vibe which is unique as the lyrics can sound very dark in moments. Chris’s vocals are soft and calm but in a kind and almost sad way. This specific song ranges more of the emo-pop era, and yet, hints at a heavier guitar sounding like the rock genre. There are clearly still hints of younger Highwind within this song. The energy together is a nice balance and would provide the perfect study music. The chorus asks important questions that empower the listener to keep going even when things get hard. At the end of the first chorus, the second verse builds on the energy from the chorus and amplifies the emotions from both the instrumentals and vocals. This creates a song that one might play for a friend in a dark moment, asking them to just hold on a little longer sent with love. “Will You Please (Stay)” touches on the core Highwind values and building off from “Afterlife (How’ve You Been?)” by going from, “I lost a friend” to, “I want to help others old on”, thus, creating a shift of energy and direction since the EP/Single. Overall, the sound is a unique shift of change that is very much Highwind and a positively sad song.

Overall

Overall, Highwind is changing gears, but not completely, and has clearly shown several new and old aspects of his music. The single adds a new direction and builds off prior releases in quarantine. We can be very proud of Highwind and be excited to see what happens post-quarantine as Chris will have a LOT to promote and share with us. We can take the lesson of how to spend our quarantine time doing things we love a bit more seriously, as we see the beauty that can come from it. 

Written by: Blake Matthews (he/him)

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