Gone Violet’s “Human” Single Review

(Photo 1 taken from Gone Violet’s instagram)

Gone Violet - a fairly new project by Kristin Partin Lewis, could be described as a folky, alt-rock, dream pop-like symphony of lullaby-esque harmonized vocal embellishments, catchy arpeggiated guitars, light drums, ethereal synths, and cheery bass lines. A colorful portrait of passion and placidity is painted as the listener is poured a hot cup of tea and takes a first bite at a scrumptious, favorite pastry, the entire time having their mental meditation soundtracked…at least metaphorically speaking. But that is definitely the sort of atmosphere and feeling manifested while listening to this track, “Human.”

The song is currently unreleased, and Gone Violet have disclosed to me (on top of being so kind as to allowing me a first-listen of sorts to the single) a release date of June 8th…which will be apart of and followed by a release of their full-length effort, “The Atlantic,” on August 8th!

Today’s review will focus on this anticipated single and what all I can share on it upon listening over a few times. Above all else, my hope is that you will give Gone Violet a follow and remain on the lookout for this song’s drop to see how much of my words line up with your own thoughts, and then you can come back and fight with me about it in the comment section! Spoiler alert: I did enjoy this one…

(Photo 2 taken from Gone Violet’s instagram)

What is it to be human? Sure, there’s plenty of philosophical and literal meanings that could be applied to that question, and perhaps the question itself is more on the rhetorical side. This question also appears to be sort of a driving theme with the lyrical content of “Human.” From opening to close, Kristin’s wistful vocal chants seem to soothe and unsettle in their own regards; The melody, the tone of the notes you hear, all wrap you up in a nice, comfy little blanket to keep you warm. But the lyrical subjects, those harder questions we all ask ourselves in the mirror as we grow older, and the general uncertainty left by what virtually any answer could or could not entail, sends you a cold, Autumn breeze that reminds you of being human and all the conflicting emotions we can often feel at any given point in our lives.

Whether intentional or not, I think vocalist and songwriter Kristin has portrayed a beautiful juxtaposition of sorts in just her composition of these “pretty” vocals matched with more introspective and thought-provoking stanzas of challenging questions and self reassurances, almost as if the narrating voice is that of someone speaking to themself in the mirror. It almost feels like this song is meant to be a source of therapeutic approach towards one’s own anxieties and uncertainties towards life and how to go about being proactive in getting the life you do want. Again, this may all be me just stretching and adding more depth or meaning than what was actually intended, but, a sense of purpose is unarguably reflected in what I hear going on lyrically in the song. As such, even if what it means personally to Kristen may not totally match what others end up perceiving, there is plenty of room for interpretation here.

In terms of comparisons (oh boy, here we go, I get to upset the audience by saying this sounds like things y’all likely won’t agree with at all!!! Just kidding, maybe?) I get a lot of familiarity upon listening to this. Reminds me of some of the popular alternative acts of the 90’s with like a modern tinge to it that also throws us back to the early-to-mid 2000’s. Hints of The Cranberries, Ivy, Tegan and Sara, Feist, and also maybe some lighter Daughter Darling feel present in the mix of sounds I hear. The spirit of everything we love in alternative, softer, folk rock seems to be there, with added ingredients from gospel, dream pop, and more acoustic-driven shoegaze elements to boot! This is the kind of song you’re likely to go boating on the lake with, reading your favorite book whilst listening to, or even just sitting in a tree somewhere in the woods pondering life as the day comes to a close. No matter what you’re doing as you listen to this song, though, it is no doubt a great soundtrack to spring and summer life. A wise choice to release this one right at the start of June, where that summer weather will really be set in.

(Photo 3 taken from Gone Violet’s instagram)

So is this track the most high-energy, high-voltage, melt-your-face ripper, mosh-in-your-seat, overdriven, exciting thing to hit the airwaves since “Master of Puppets?” Eh, probably not. But what it is, is a meditation. This song is a soothing serenade to the restless mind. For those with trouble sleeping or you new parents looking for a better method of helping your newborn sleep, throw this one on the queue. No, that isn’t to insinuate the track is “boring,” but rather an audible chamomile flavor, something easing and relaxing. We need our soft, entrancing, calm songs just as much as we need our adrenaline-pumping, loud, heavy-as-a-heavy-thing sort of rager songs, too. This song is certainly apart of the former’s appeal. Gone Violet have created a realm of their own, one that welcomes all who are willing to enter. I’d say their sound almost treads in atmospheric territories, as well.

Overall score: 8/10. I can see myself listening to this during long drives and while doing mundane tasks like filling out taxes or other forms. Something like this to soundtrack that will make it much more interesting and, despite previous comments on the nature of the song and its effects on the listener, would also help keep me awake during these daunting tasks. Much enjoyed and much appreciated that Gone Violet were willing to allow me an exclusive listen!

The rest of you will just have to wait! But until then, you can hear older material already released as well as follow Gone Violet on Instagram and TikTok, as you await your chance to cry happily to “Human” once it comes out June 8th, at the links below!

Find more on Gone Violet at: Instagram: https://instagram.com/gonevioletmusic

TikTok: @gonevioletmusic

Reverb Nation:

https://www.reverbnation.com/goneviolet