Single/Video Review: Days They Come, Days They Go
Andrew Masseurs
In a world where keeping busy and treating lack of sleep like a badge of honour is a step away from being a religion, watching somebody spend a day lazing in the summer sun might fill a viewer with a sense of discomfort. Perhaps even abject dread. That might just be the point of Andrew Masseurs‘ new music video.
Days They Come, Days They Go seems like a gentle reminder to let go of worries. Masseurs wrote it for his daughters, who he says stresses about the smallest things. The song is probably not intended as a chilling reminder of the unstoppable passage of time and entropy hurtling us ever faster towards oblivion and the meaninglessness of everything that happens in between.
Andrew Masseurs has prior experience as lead singer in the New Zealand band Ammp, and is now branching out into his solo work, starting with his 2018 debut album Origins. His new single is from his sophomore effort, Traveller in the Sky, and sounds just in time for summer. It features Masseurs relaxing at the Wellington waterfront flanked by wine and a guitar. Shot in cinema widescreen and featuring cantering cuts between scenes of him hanging out, the editing style seems busy at first glance. On reflection though, it is necessary to create movement using the cuts since the camera is stationary and there is minimal movement on the part of the subject. Thinking of it this way the editing serves as a force of momentum for the video.
As he settles into his people watching chair, Masseurs’ vocals come in crushed under an effect that makes it feel like he’s broadcasting a pirate signal to get his message across to the people of the world. Muted bass notes with sweeping strums of guitar chords fill out the broad parts of the song. Later, in the chorus there is a catchy guitar hook as Masseurs repeats the main refrain. The drums have some great little fills that are really interesting and attention grabbing – popping out against the backdrop of the simpler barbecue rock of the guitar. Towards the end an organ fills out the space and makes for a really satisfying sustained chord to end the song on. The lyrics are simple and sparse, making it a perfect sing along for audiences right on the first listen.
Days They Come, Days They Go is the perfect song to learn the chords for on your summer holiday and jam out with your mates on the beach. For some it may also serve as a reminder to remove yourself from your existential terror and enjoy a moment for once. The accompanying video illustrates a guru like appreciation for the space between the noise of life. It’s a welcome message at a time of year when we should be winding down but tend to get caught up in the stress of organizing our various rituals.
About the author Callum Wagstaff
He’s frail, like a buttercup, but he’s not happy about it. Bittercup is the personal catharsis machine of Callum Wagstaff. He hates himself and has found people enjoy the fruits of his shameful confessions, related in sweet serenades, intense outbursts and rarely anything in between. Bittercup (Wagstaff) started out fronting a band of the same name in 2015 before ailing health and renal dialysis forced him to give it up. Despite that he continued to write music and work the New Plymouth scene as regularly as he could in local cover bands Dodgy Jack (drums), The Feelgood Beatdown (Guitar) and Shed: The Tool Tribute (Vocals). In late 2018 in a freak accident he was granted super kidney powers which allowed him to refocus himself on the Bittercup concept, releasing an official Debut EP: “Negative Space” on May 3rd 2019. Negative Space was described by Happy Mag as “a bleak but
More by Callum Wagstaff
Album Review: Not Bred to Feel the Fat

EP Review: Bled Dry

Album Review: Miracle Healing Crusade

EP Review: Flash Sneakers

Album Review: Chica De La Bum

EP Review: Time & Space EP

EP Review: WESTBOUND&DOWN

Album Review: Cautionary Tales

Single Review: Whole Again

Album Review: Bad Taste II

Single Review: RUN0UT

EP Review: Job Site
