WATERPARKS - GREATEST HITS
Naming your fourth studio album Greatest Hits is an ambitious move for anyone, but for Texan trio Waterparks, it’s not surprising at all. While no two tracks sound the same, the album is a perfectly cohesive body of work, and it really is an album full of their greatest hits.
Naming your fourth studio album Greatest Hits is an ambitious move for anyone, but for Texan trio Waterparks, it’s not surprising at all. Following on from the success that their 2019 effort Fandom brought, this record has a total of 17 tracks on it, and while no two tracks sound the same, the album is a perfectly cohesive body of work, showing that the boys are here with what really is an album full of their greatest hits.
Kicking off with an ambient intro and following into what can only be described as an epic cinematic build up, ‘Greatest Hits’ provides an introduction like no other, proving bigger and better than their previous release’s ‘Cherry Red’, and a perfect opener to the band’s upcoming tours and appearances at Slam Dunk Festival later this year.
‘Fuzzy’ offers an energetic pop-sensibility dance anthem in a direction the band have never been involved with before, the guitar-driven beat instantly getting your body moving despite the lyrical nod to fear and anxiety. Following from this are lead singles ‘Lowkey As Hell’ and ‘Numb’. With catchy riffs and lyrical throwbacks to previous songs from their discography, Waterparks make sure we know that they know exactly who they are, and that the only way is up from here.
In typical Waterparks lore, each album must have a Pixar reference as a song title, and Greatest Hits is no exception to that rule. Their token Pixar reference comes in the form of the band’s latest single, ‘Violet!’, telling the tale of a scary situation that Knight experienced with a stalker, juxtaposed with an upbeat and ethereal chord progression. Despite the dark nature of the real-life account, the singer makes light references to pop culture such as Misery by Stephen King and the Netflix series You, “It’s like i’m watching You / but it’s about me / just to be clear, I mean the show / You’re Joe”.
Frontman Awsten Knight’s vulnerability with his mental health is a topic throughout the album, first manifesting in ‘Snow Globe’ and then opening up about his struggles throughout quarantine with ‘Just Kidding’, and his usual skill of pairing emotional and hard-hitting lyrics with a fun, upbeat track is no different here.
Waterparks are capable of anything. That much is evident with their ability to blend genres, going from the summery vibes of pop-inspired track ‘The Secret Life Of Me’ to heavier, rock-focused anthems like ‘American Graffiti’. Holding the same title as his own published collection of personal stories and insights, ‘You’d Be Paranoid Too (If Everyone Was Out To Get You)’ follows on with another (and slightly less hectic) glimpse into Knight’s mind, focusing on the culture surrounded with being in the spotlight and how people can expect you to be perfect.
‘Fruit Roll Ups’ adds a twist to the mix, a smooth-talking song of romance with lyrics that you know will soon be plastered all over fanart across the internet. “When you talk / it’s in cursive to me / It’s nicer than anything i’d believe about me”, Knight vocalises his thoughts of adoration and wanting to share his life with someone as he sings “It’s true / I’m a little bitch for you now”.
‘Like It’ opens up with the familiar voice of Rocksound’s James Wilson-Taylor from a clip of an interview from the London date of their Fandom tour in 2019. Easily the heaviest song on the album, the track offers an infectious attitude that you instantly know will translate perfectly into a rage-filled live performance.
With a heartfelt instrumental consisting of heavy violins, juxtaposed with the lyrics “Violins like this make me feel crazy”, ‘Crying Over It All’ discusses the topic of the possible future where Waterparks are no longer actively in the limelight. “Soon everyone will be gone / They’ll forget my albums // I hope you’ll be here when it’s done / And I’m crying over it all”, Knight vocalises his thoughts of hoping that the one person he wants sticks around to see the end.
‘Ice Bath’ reprises the opening track, though offers an alternative look into it in the form of electronic synths and dramatic beats. Paired with distorted low-pitched voices and later followed by a surprisingly calm falsetto, Waterparks build us up ready for what’s about to happen: the end of Greatest Hits.
Knight isn’t afraid to showcase his ability to spit fast lyrics with closing track ‘See You In The Future’, lyrics discussing the pressures he faces with imposter syndrome and self-reflection, such as “If I got everything I want on album three / and I grew up and became who I want to be / Why am I lying when I say I feel content?” and “Everyone and everything and every single magazine / That made me think I’m not enough / It’s really fucking cripping”.
Not only is this closing track relatable for many, but it’s sure to be a favourite with the way Knight leaves a multitude of name drops behind, such as the likes of Elon Musk, Michael Scott and One Direction as though it’s nobody’s business.
Emily Young
★★★★★