REVIEW: Maximilian Tanner’s latest track, ‘Requiem’
‘Going solo’ is a move that carries both danger and promise for any musician. Some stick to familiar territory, attempting to recapture old magic, while others leap into something new, finding creative vibrancy in new approaches. Maximilian Tanner’s burgeoning solo career is an example of the latter. His latest single, ‘Requiem’, showcases confidence and poise in synth-drenched soundscapes far removed from his indie-punk roots with the band BlackWaters.
This new direction is clear from the beginning of ‘Requiem’. Warm arpeggios and insistent drum machines recall '80s synthpop at its most glamorous, yet this is more than just a throwback. Sounds that once heralded a bright and exciting future now evoke longing for the past. Like fellow revivalists (think Alex Cameron), Tanner plays with the juxtaposition between euphoria and melancholia expertly.
The result is infectious, drawing repeated listens that reveal the song's elegiac heart, a "requiem for our love". Lyrics wrapped in heavy reverb recall Molly Nilsson's cinematic, intimate imagery. Spinning webs under bright lights, great divides, and late-night movie shows intertwine with the plaintive refrain, “They all said it's easy/I can tell you that was a lie”.
If this sounds gloomy, Tanner's pop sensibilities ensure it's anything but. Lush production and counter-melodies accompany a real earworm of a chorus. It's catchy yet bittersweet, as all good pop songs should be, and a strong addition to an exciting series of releases from Tanner. ‘Requiem’ may be the perfect soundtrack for a lonely midnight drive through neon-soaked streets, but it's a pleasure to listen to in any setting.
You can listen to ‘Requiem’ on Spotify here.
Words: David Cuthbertson
