On Friday March 31st, McFly asked ‘Where Did All The Guitars Go?’ I could be silly about it and say with all those guitars my dad has bought and lined up along our upstairs hallway I think I have their answer, but in all seriousness, I was surprised by how emotional it was for me to hear this song.
McFly’s unique stance, having an established audience who have grown up with them, sets them up for a swift transition into this new era, which only proves how they know us. At the same time, this new avenue they show signs of going down could be opening doors for a whole new audience.
It could have something to do with that classic transition from boy-band to man-band mixed with an already changing platform for making and understanding rock music. When it comes to this cocktail maybe, as time has gone on, McFly are prepared to drop the ‘pop’.
Thinking of this song, and presumably the rest of this upcoming album, as a setting for listeners to dance like no one is watching and let their minds wonder through what that moment means for them is a perfect outlook, in my opinion, demonstrated in the production with a beat that can only be to bounce and jump to.
It really is like the sound has built four walls around us as we listen, predicting what we want and need and giving us a safe space to explore that. I feel that safety even thinking about it. We are taken care of, and I think that is what this song stands for. We belong to them and they belong to us.
I know what you’re thinking but I assure you, as much as the heartstrings were pulled and a smile grew across my face, the feet were tapping and the head was banging whilst filled with images of the potential mind-blowing live performances to come.
To those who don’t lean on music this way, to those to whom a chord is just a cluster of notes, lyrics are just words sung over those notes and harmonies are just harmonies, don’t be discouraged. I’m a writer, as a group we tend to be dramatic and over emotional. The truth boils down to the fact that after all the anticipation and confusion and curiosity, it does not disappoint.
Of course, it is what is on the inside that matters but we have to linger on the sweet sugary coating. Indulge me. The cover art for the single consists of a simple cassette tape very much exuding a handmade, rustic, blast-from-the-past vibe, a time capsule taking us back to basics, completely playing into the idea that this is a style of music which this generation may have forgotten. I mean, knowing the band name, can we really be surprised by them bringing their past Back To The Future?
From what we have seen of the album cover art, it brings to mind a direct correlation to the graphics and images you would see at a classic video game arcade, possibly playing more on the flashback element, all the way back to when the boys were growing up. Which makes me think we may be getting down to what made them fall in love with music, specifically their perception of the band when it first came about.
The excitement continues - a music video. The throwback feel of the release remains in the cropped frame of the final edit to the same effect of watching an older film on a modern TV. The aesthetic and concept beautiful in their simplicity, from the choice of camera angles and editing to colour scheme, to moments where they truly look into your eyes through the screen, basically the dream concert experience for any fan, show a well thought out re-entrance.
The video highlights each member of the band individually and, of course, some exquisite guitars, a perfect illustration of the song. Their performance in this video is so natural and oozes happiness in a way I really don’t think I can explain. But, the part that made me truly gasp, hand to my face covering a growing smile, sitting upright for optimum viewing. Dougie Poynter has the true leading man solo vocals moment we have been waiting for, and you don’t need me to tell you but I will - he was amazing.
So, to sum up, we’re emotional to hear the new single, to see such a strong music video. The whole release has been effortless. They’re in their element. Why? Because it’s McFly
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