Two years after the release of their debut album, Skinny Dipping, Stand Atlantic are back with their second album, Pink Elephant. It’s fair to say that Stand Atlantic have had an amazing journey between the two albums and have grown as artists along the way, which shows in their latest release. Here is our track by track review of Pink Elephant:
The album starts out strong with opening track, Like That, which starts out with an electro-pop instrumental before going into your standard pop-punk sound and vocals with a catchy chorus to match. Over the course of the song, lead singer, Bonnie Fraser, goes over the struggles of wanting to speak your truth and reveal your feelings despite the encouragement from others, or perhaps wanting to be more open but being unable to find the words. But hey, “it’s just like that” and it’s OK.
Heavy pounding drums and cymbals, done by the talented Jonno Panichi, that are beautifully accompanied by low vocals, Shh!, is a fuck you song towards those who feel the need to final say and won’t listen to what others think. The vocals and instruments get louder as Bonnie hits the chorus where she becomes evidently angrier and more confident, before almost going silent when saying “shh”.
Released just a day before Pink Elephant came out, Blurry, is like a continuation of Shh!, where the previously called out toxic behavior has now transpired into something worse to the point where you feel like they’re trying to change who you are for the worst. The story is further emphasized as the track starts off fading in and out before stompy drums and guitar, (courtesy of both Bonnie and David Potter), starts. But despite what others may try to do, they can never change you for who you are, it would take extremes for them to succeed.
The single that came out alongside the album announcement, Jurassic Park is your standard pop-punk track that you can picture a crowd jumping around in time to (we miss live shows). The song covers the theme of memories you may have had with someone before they were “not fucking wise anymore”, positive memories which have now started to die out like the “comets killing dinosaurs”.
The following track, Eviligo, is a much more upbeat and happier sounding song. It’s a tongue in cheek track about finding yourself attracted to someone who doesn’t notice you, so you’ll want to do anything to get them to notice you, anything for them to remember you by. Except “now I’m just a creep” as now your person of interest thinks you’re weird. You can’t win, can you?
Wavelength, which can be viewed as a continuation of Eviligo, features distorted vocals and hard-hitting instruments, (also thanks to the talents of bassist, Miki Rich). The lyrics take it further from the previous track where your person of interest is now constantly on your mind. In fact, it’s gotten to the point where their presence has such a physical effect on you to the point where it may hurt you. Sure, you’re not perfect yourself, you may deserve this feeling, but it scares you, nonetheless. Someone not leaving your mind and you find their presence having a physical effect on you.
We now move on to more general negative thoughts and feelings with Drink to Drown. The song is slow with piano and violin that gradually becomes louder over the course of the track, alongside Fraser’s sad vocals. It beautifully reflects the sad reality of constantly questioning yourself and your self-worth, wondering if people really want you around, wondering if they genuinely love you. The only escape? “Picking your poison” where the only goal is to “drink to drown”.
Stand Atlantic then springs back with DWYW, a much more Upbeat and loud pop-punk track, the type of track that you’ll find yourself bopping your head along to. We’re now past the fear of others changing you for the worse, no one can ever ruin you. Said toxic person could’ve affected you before and made you feel awful but now nothing affects you. They can “do what you want” but you won’t hurt me agan.
Silk & Satin goes into a very direction in comparison to the rest of the album. It’s a much more laid-back track that has a bit of a smooth jazz element to it. Something that you can sway along to. A bittersweet track about someone who once lived carefree without fear of risk, but now feels that they need to constantly be “covered in band aids”. A shell of yourself; “I’m all I have” and “I’d settle for the good days”.
No now more being sad; Soap goes back to genuine happiness in this up-beat pop-punk track. Instead of focusing on the bad, we are now able to acknowledge both the good and bad days, and all you ask for is someone who can help you feel better about yourself. Someone who is aware of the good and bad days you may have and (in a positive way) are able to challenge it.
The final track of Pink Elephant is in fact the first song to be released all the way back in May 2019. Hate Me (Sometimes) is a fun and catchy pop-punk song. Another example of an ongoing story-arc where the person mentioned in Soap is now the same person here who will help you when you need it, although they are more likely to be critical of you. But hey, you love it.
Pink Elephant overall is a strong follow-up to Skinny Dipping, it tells a story about human behavior that you can learn and grow from. It’s a story of breaking away from individuals who bring you down, finding someone better whilst going through the general anxiety of wondering what they truly think of you, and then growing to love yourself despite what others think. It’s a positive message of saying it’s ok to let go of people and that your self-worth is more than what others may believe.
Musically, Stand Atlantic are more experimental with different sounds while at the same time remaining loyal to their trademark pop-punk sound. Pink Elephant is a solid album that showcases the band’s talents and identity, even more so of their growth, both as people and artists.
Stand out tracks: Shh!, Drink to Drown, Hate Me (Sometimes)
