Single Review: I Was With Him

I Was With Him is the definition of New Zealand music. It has the highly melodic (but more importantly) deep notes that perfectly illustrate the New Zealand accent we are famous for, and a simple musical structure that transcends genres from pop to rock, but focuses on vocals and lyrical content over musical technicality. It is a sound that is the epitome of radio friendly. You can hear the musical influences of established artists, such as Stellar* front woman Boh Runga (you can hear parallels in the songwriting style and harmonies to that of All It Takes), and Tadpole’s Renée Brennan, but most notably Fur Patrol’s Julia Deans (the verses have strikingly similar vocal characteristics to the lead track Andrew from Fur Patrol’s debut album).

The track was a grower for me personally; unsure of the slow start initially, but eventually loving the swell towards the grungier second half of the track. The style would easily fit in with Courtney Love’s Mono album, though it has a much cleaner, classier tone to it. The song progresses from a typical formulaic Kiwi song, to a definite Decades track, with vocalist Emma Cameron’s beautifully raw, and energetic rock voice.

Each chorus builds tension further, increasing and expanding  the vocal range and intensity until the breakdown, where we are delighted by that punky, abrasive, in-your-face tenacity, with the finest volume and strength since Decade’s first debuted with Terrified. At full volume, the emotion portrayed through the vocals at the climax is enough to give the listeners physical shivers of gratification. If trends continue, Emma Cameron’s vocal confidence and power will soon deliver a manifestation that will rival (or even surpass) the likes of Lzzy Hale of Halestorm.