Chemical Burn

Lyon Tide

Single Review

By Luke Knowles

Since the release of their debut single ‘Closure’ back in 2020, Birmingham Alternative Pop group Lyon Tide have continued to prove their talent at crafting expansive and atmospheric music. From touching synths to raw and open lyrics, these passionate creatives have done everything in their power to fully realise their blossoming ideas. Recently you may ahve heard their collaboration releases where they tested the boundaries of what they could create and pull it off in true ‘Lyon Tides’ fashion. So when their latest single ‘Chemical Burn’ dropped across my inbox I was both surprised and excited to hear that once again, they had taken a roll of the creative dice and dove into something fresh and new.

As I said above, for me Lyon Tide truly captured that early 00’s Indie/Alt Pop vibe, think Snow Patrol meets Coldplay in their XYZ days. I’m talking quilted comfortable synths, steady rhythms, and cinematic undertones. So I won’t lie that hearing them turn their collective efforts towards creating a track that captures that early 90’s summer club scene, I was a tad intrigued. ‘Chemical Burns’ comes off the back of a period in which Lyon Tide pushed themselves creatively, and I feel that it is the culmination of all that hard work. From the moment the track opens it washes over you like a tropical tide and already gets you reaching for the glow sticks and something bright to drink.

The rhythm is easy and effortless and yet traps you in an hypnotic rhythm that alongside the interlocked and repeated vocal phrasing creates a swirl in your mind. Unlike a lot of early 90’s dance hits this track deals with exploring the chemical reactions from emotions rather than unmarked tablets passed around in the wee hours of the morning. Despite this though, the choice to marry the subject of emotional chemical reaction with a musical theme tied to the enjoying of artificial chemicals gives the song a deeper feel and understanding of its own content. As you listen and are reminded of long nights and early sunrises the song paints a lyrical scape of someone fully engaging with their own bodies emotional ups and downs. Once again proving the bands ability to neatly pair sound and theme with relative ease.

Overall, while this track is a departure from their typical offering, Lyon Tide have in now way left behind what makes their music their own. The synth flares and poignant deliveries are still there, just this time they’ve undone a few more buttons, ordered from the cocktail menu, and dove straight into the dance floor jungle. It is definitely one for any summer playlist and made me excited for what surprises they’ve got hidden up their sleeves.

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