Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
Soft but strong enough to draw together a harmony seemingly out of thin air, the melodies that we find in the new single “This is Awkward” from Callisto are pivotal to the creation of a mood in this latest release from the rising rock group. Callisto puts a lot of stock into the power of melodic ribbonry here, but while “This is Awkward” is perhaps their most pop-friendly effort to see widespread release thus far, it’s hardly a step away from the rock n’ roll lexicon that they’ve been building their name within lately. In this single, we’re introduced to a band that doesn’t care much what you think about retro pop/rock magic – they’re playing to the fundamentals of this genre and sounding pretty incredible in doing so.
The melodies here are supremely rich from an instrumental standpoint, but nothing feels particularly overdone at all – on the contrary, I would even say that this is a rather lean and mean composition when taking into account it’s being stylized as a radio-ready rock single. Callisto are careful to stay away from the overindulgences that have brought down many of their contemporaries, and influences for that matter, in “This is Awkward,” but at the same time they aren’t shy about putting as much oomph into the mechanics of their performance as can be mustered from within the four walls of a recording studio. They’ve got a good handle on their depth for a group that is as fresh on the scene as they are, and I doubt I’m going to be the only critic that notes as much this spring.
These string parts have a great tonality to their harmonies that balances out the vocal parts wonderfully. Had each of the different components in “This is Awkward” not been given as much of the spotlight as they ultimately were afforded in this instance, I can’t be sure whether or not the single would feel as chill-inducing as it does – even after numerous listening sessions from different angles. There’s still a lot that we need to discover within the artistry of Callisto, but if there’s anything we can collectively take away from this most recent dispatch, it’s that they’re all about the details (no matter how seemingly small or insignificant).
If this is just a preview of what Callisto is going to be bringing to the table on a regular basis in 2023 and beyond, then you can count me in for more of their work in the future. They’ve got a unique sound that is reminiscent of some serious heavyweights in the history of classic rock, but while the comparisons to the old guard will be inevitable, there’s nothing archaic about the way they’re doing business in “This is Awkward.” This is a modern, very mature look for their brand, and if it’s any sort of representation of who they are at their most emotional, it won’t be the last heavy-rocking single they deliver to critical acclaim from across the board in the underground market.
Melissa Fossett
