Viola Beach - Swings & Waterslides (Single Review)

A while ago I was asked to review Viola Beach's single; but due to receiving so many requests in such a short period of time, I could not fit them in to my schedule for at least another month! Then when the time came around to review them, I was completely distracted by new albums, EP's and single releases... Ultimately, my plan for this weekend was to review Kula Shakers new album that had been released on Friday the 12th of February 2016. However due to the devastating occurrence that had arose yesterday, with the car crash that managed to end the lives of not only the four-piece band, but also their manager - I thought that the Kula Shaker review could wait. 

Viola Beach were a four-piece alternative indie pop band from Warrington that had formed in 2015. The quartet consisted of; Kris Leonard on lead vocals, River Reeves on lead guitar, Tomas Lowe on the  bass and Jack Dakin on the drums. Their first single to be released was 'Swings and Waterslides' and the release date for the single was the 28th of August 2015. They have turned the common phrase of 'swings and roundabouts' into an alternative version of their own; evidently replacing 'roundabouts' with 'waterslides'. This screams to me that they have way more 'Ups' than 'Downs' in their lifetime as a waterslide is a lot more adventurous and fun than going around a roundabout! The phrase goes as follows...

"What you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts"

On the other hand, Viola Beach's version basically says...

"What you lose on the swings you gain on a big fucking slippery fun waterslide!"

Anyway, enough analysing the song title! Let's get down to the actual song! The guitar slowly introduces the song for a mineute moment then all of the instruments clash at once, and mellow down to a softer rhythm once the vocalist, Leonard begins to sing and paint a picture for the listeners.

"Feeling a lighter breeze, the sun it shines on all you see. Ya squint trying to look at me, but can I use your lighter please?"

First of all can I just state that the end of this line is EVERY blokes chat up line! Therefore this proves that Leonard has a romantic interest or sexual attraction towards this individual; however due to the sun blinding her, this results in her not being able to see him without squinting her eyes a little in order to try and see who it is. This song reminds me of one of them songs where every single person sings in unison shouting out the chorus, as it is incredibly catchy due to the repetitiveness!

"Won't you come home? [x8] 'Cause I need you home, yeah I need you - oh you know I do"

The swings in his situation are being parted from this girl... However it feels euphoric when he's with her and he feels a 'high' which evidentially proves to be the 'waterslides' within his life.

In conclusion this indie rhythmic track is intensely catchy and meaningful... Two things that I love to see within a track - a song with depth, yet simple. The death of these lads is the epitome of the Devils work. They really would of had a bright future ahead of them if this terrible disaster had not have occurred. The song is very well thought out and they all work well together, it's almost like they were destined to be in a band together... I would definitely recommend that you give this track; and perhaps some of their other work a listen too, however I would not want people to be dis-heartened when listening to them - as they will have to listen to their music with the realisation that no more music is ever going to be produced by this fantastic foursome ever again. Rest in Peace to the band and their manager, God bless.

10/10