Something for the Lovesick

Seafret's latest album, released on January 29, Tell Me It's Real, is a collection of lyrics and music that for the most part make you want to fall in, and be in, love. The tracks on this album, like those in the former albums of the band, are perfect background music for pondering love – romantic or otherwise.

One of the most mesmerising aspects of the album isn't its consistency in theme but rather how the track list plays out as a story and tells a beautiful narrative. Through the lyrics of every song, the ups and downs of a relationship are explored. 

The first track, Missing, sets the tone for the entire album. The song, about craving for some form of affection to feel whole again, has an almost intricate haunting essence. The same atmosphere of wanting to be cared for is carried on with the next song, Give Me Something.

The tension of longing for love, which is never easy and often depressing, is broken by the next song; Wildfire is an upbeat song focusing on the thrill of finally finding love. It's the kind of song that deserves a spot on the playlist of every romantic. 

Breathe is a nervous song about starting something new with another person. It's anxious and apologetic but hopeful all at the same time, and the terrifying combination of all these contrasting feelings is wrapped up in just over three minutes. Almost heart wrenchingly afterwards, Oceans, is a cry for affection while struggling to get over communicating emotions. 

Over speaks volumes about how it is borderline amusing to watch someone "in a gambling mood" and hoping the next throw of the dice doesn't decide the end of a relationship. Sharing the title of the album, the next track, Tell Me It's Real, has a more somber tone stating the significance of the veracity of the moment regardless of whether it stands the test of time.

An eerie silence descends with the beginning of the track, Be There, which is arguably the most powerful song in the album. The song dwells on how it's possible to be ever present for the people or things that we love even if our passion isn't always quite requited. 

Atlantis reminds us of the recurring fear of not being enough to be with someone. The song probes into why things might not work. After the almost dismal song comes Skimming Stones, a song that revives the listeners. It's a more hopeful track longing to get back to better times.

The remaining songs in the album, Out of Nowhere, Beauty on the Breeze and Overtime, conclude it with a sweeter tinge. In less than an hour, the album as a whole gives a delicate preview on the elusive emotion we know as love. The album as a whole is an amazing listen when in the mood for love and longing.

With a keen eye and a broken brain to mouth filter, Mahejabeen Hossain Nidhi has a habit of throwing obscure insults from classic novels at random people who may or may not have done anything to warrant them. Drop her a line at mahejabeen.nidhi@gmail.com