Caving

National Service

Obligation, a feeling that we as a societal species can find overwhelming at times. Whether it is helping out a family member, supporting a friend, or even holding a door for a complete stranger. Our sense of obligation can be both a positive as much as a negative force in our lives. Awakening to this realisation, National Service have embraced this topic and poured themselves and their own experiences into their latest release.

‘Caving’ dives straight in with a punchy opening intro that leaves no room for silence. As the song goes on this use of the loud instrumentation could be interpritated in two ways. Firstly it could represent the unleashing of the frustration over feeling obligated to everyone, this point re enforced as the next time you hear the full sound is during the chorus that includes the lyric “….Maybe I should cut myself some slack….” A sentiment that makes up the bedrock of the track.

Secondly, it could represent the actual feeling when you become overwhelmed and feel stretched thin over multiple obligations. This second interpretation is mostly seen when shown in contrast to the chugging, quite verses where the vocal is allowed the space to speak over the noise. Doing this presents the melody as a sort of inner monologue pointing out the various ways in which the narrator feels obligated and the negative turn it has taken. One particular line really hits home on this point and speaks to the way a lot of people can get in these situations”….Overthinking, when I should be happy doing something….”

The use of the music to bring the frustration and pressure felt by the narrator to life continues on throughout the song. It even is used brilliantly towards the end as the song breaks down to a single guitar and then begins to layer the instruments, slowly rising in level. Almost as though the pressure is building and the narrator feels everything caving in on them. It then explodes back into a final chorus run as an outro but rather than the whole chorus it focuses on the final line of the refrain, again as though the narrator has had enough and is crying out for someone to hear them “….As if I’ve never thought about that….”

However this could also be interpreted as a revelation statement, the narrator finally understanding what needs to be done, live in the now and focus on what is in front of you. Either way being able to interoperate this song in multiple ways speaks to the brilliant songwriting ability of the band and the potential this single has to reach a wide audience while still being a track with that fresh Alt Rock vibe.

Overall this track is a deep and meaningful offering from National Service and one that I connect with on a personal level, a lot. It is yet another example of this bands growing confidence in their own sound and abilities, and also is a song that came from a very personal place within them.

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