WATERPARKS - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Waterparks are a band with no limits. Endless energy, hidden meanings and fuzzy vocals; a breath of fresh air to the music industry. The band’s fifth studio album, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, is no exception to this, showcasing the very best of the Texan trio’s previous work in a new and exciting way.
With catchy melodies reminiscent of their 2016 debut Double Dare, cohesive poetry of 2018’s Entertainment, brutal honesty of 2019’s Fandom and electronic experimentation of 2021’s Greatest Hits, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY takes you through the journey of breaking down the barriers formed by a religious upbringing and figuring out what love really means for you.
“I see this body of work as a light outdoor album,” reveals Vocalist Awsten Knight, and that’s exactly what this album is. Sunshine, wind blowing through your hair, your friends picking you up when you’re feeling down. It’s introspective and demonstrates the power of therapy when it comes to self-acceptance and vulnerability.
Immediately drawing you into the album is the electronic-fuelled ‘ST*RFUCKER’, sandwiched between two voice recordings of a conversation. Starting with a crescendo of storm sounds, keys and bells, you’re thrown into heavy beats of a damaged relationship with religion in the form of “Jesus Christ wont text me back,” and an understanding of the law of attraction. This short and sweet track is a commanding introduction to the album with its chorus “It’s been a pleasure / it’s nice to meet you” being just as powerful despite its simplicity.
‘REAL SUPER DARK’ quickly became a fan favourite after debuting last year during the band’s supporting tour with My Chemical Romance. The intense, hard-hitting drum beat and funky melodies with snippets of automated vocals reveal both the old and new of Waterparks, discussing the anger and anxiety surrounding an emotional breakdown.
‘FUNERAL GREY’ offers more of that child-like feeling with a lighthearted, fun-loving guitar melody; the main guitar riff actually being recorded on a toy guitar. With drummer Otto Wood’s beats at the forefront, it’s a summer anthem for a rainy day that will have anyone singing along to the band’s elevated and enhanced sound.
The power of the Waterparks fandom showed itself when ‘BRAINWASHED’ was first teased on tour, with fans coming together to curate the cleanest live-recorded clips of what soon became their favourite song. This sunshine-filled, ‘honeymoon phase’ inspired song discusses the ups and downs of infatuation at the start of a relationship through happy guitars and coy lyrics, “Wait, what am I saying? I feel insane / It’s only been a couple days.”
With a running time of only 2:18, ‘2 BEST FRIENDS’ is an instant earworm with its catchy chorus of “I went out with my two best friends / Tried anything not to think of you.” The short and sweet track is packed full with infectious feel-good energy, paired with Knight’s signature lyrics (“I’m sick of waiting on you to call when you’re out every night / and i’m sick of playing it cool when baby really i, i wanna die.”) depicting the complete opposite with the fall out of a one-sided relationship. Let’s face it, TikTok is going to love this one!
In typical Waterparks fashion, there is always a Pixar reference hidden within the track listing, and ‘END OF THE WATER (FEEL)’ is this album’s culprit. Featuring a reference from 2020’s Onward (“We go to the end of the water, we'll find that Phoenix Gem!”), the upbeat anthem ascends the band to a new level with a magical atmosphere. Dripped in outstanding vocals from Knight, whether it be his quick-paced verses or his sky-high register on his vocal runs, “if you feel it, then I feel it too / If you believe me, i could be your truth,” this one is guaranteed to give you goosebumps.
‘SELF-SABOTAGE’ is an introspective single, signifying the switch in Knight’s perspective on relationships throughout the record. From being infatuated with someone, to feeling anxiety and self-hatred due to past relationship issues, there comes a point where you realise you are sabotaging a relationship (“If you like when we talk, i’ll dislocate my jaw / What the fuck is wrong with me?”) before it has the chance to hurt you.
Following this is the hard-hitting slap in the face of ‘RITUAL’, the song opening with a snippet of a popular abstinence program that was often shown in schools and churches to set the scene of what is about to unfold. Knight exudes brutal honesty and religious trauma through this fast-paced song (“My inner child needs a bulletproof vest / and a phone that can’t text / and twenty years rest”), with swells of distorted vocals, Wood’s signature drum beats and spiritual trinkets scattered throughout, ‘RITUAL’ provides respite for fans of the heavier side of the band. Knight’s raspy vocals, screams and Corpse-inspired spoken words come together to give listeners a countdown to what feels like Hell with a side of possession.
Easing us back out of the dark is ‘FUCK ABOUT IT (Feat. Blackbear), discussing the hot and cold aspects of a strained relationship. Its simple melodies, catchy chorus and signature Blackbear verse winds you down for what’s really coming next.
Emotional ballad ‘CLOSER’ tugs at the heartstrings of anyone who has ever questioned their ability to love. What feels like it could be the companion of ‘SELF-SABOTAGE’ from the alternative perspective, Knight shares his experience of discovering that he feels love differently through soft vocals and a gentle acoustic melody. The chorus, “I need you closer / Or I need it over”, though simple, demonstrates the desperation felt through breathy lyrics of vulnerability.
Finishing up the album with a bang is electronic punk medley ‘A NIGHT OUT ON EARTH’. With vocal distortion, spoken word snippets, synths and a funky drum beat, Knight talks about turning his negative emotions such as jealousy, exhaustion and heartbreak into something he can use to his advantage. The track’s running time being the longest on the album and a chorus fit for a closing set of a festival with Co2 cannons galore, the common thread of religion reveals itself again with lyrics “I kissed a couple people in a week / Am I gonna go to Hell in my sleep? / Will God forgive me?”
Closing out the song with a snippet from one of the band’s first ever radio appearances in 2015, Waterparks indicates that the band have so much more to say, and this is just the beginning of what’s to come.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY is quintessential Waterparks - a detailed journey from start to finish through the different perspectives of religion, love and self-understanding with chaotic drums, outstanding vocal patterns and addictive guitars.
Emily Young
★★★★★