Rainbow City Park bursts onto the scene with their debut EP, “Fruitless”, a shoegaze, alternative, emo, and pop punk masterpiece crafted in just one whirlwind week. Recorded during their residency at Panoramic House with producer Mike Davis, this record captures the raw energy and creative urgency of the moment. Across five standout tracks, the band weaves together their influences from a range of genres, delivering a sound that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly new. Let’s dive into the sound of Rainbow City Park.
“Working with Mike Vernon Davis was a dream. His vision on how to bring our EP to fruition felt seamless and we are so stoked that he came down from Seattle to the coast of Marin County to work with us.” – Dani
The title track ignites the record with raw attitude and unshakable grit. Throughout the track, listeners are swept into a rich sonic landscape, where three roaring guitars and relentless drums set the tone. The snare snaps with the energy of a pop-punk anthem, driving the track forward with infectious intensity. Frontwoman Danielle Judith’s moody, magnetic vocals weave effortlessly through the mix, filling every empty space with emotion and an irresistible pop sensibility. This is more than just an opening track, it’s a bold statement of Rainbow City Park’s ever-evolving sound. Plus, “Fruitless” is quite the earworm.
The second track “Chalk” pulls listeners in with an irresistibly catchy chorus, blending pop sensibility with the raw emotion of emo and pop-punk. Beneath its infectious melody lies a deeply personal narrative, a two-year relationship unraveling into heartbreak. Frontwoman Danielle Judith delivers each lyric with fire and conviction, belting, “23 months of flattery, with moments that could fill galleries, imagine none of that mattering.” By the second verse, the heartbreak shifts to empowerment as she declares, “At least you taught me something that is worth it, he who hesitates gets deserted.” It’s a cathartic anthem, equal parts aching and anthemic.
“It was really exciting to see how Chalk came together. We had about 90% of the instrumentation finished for that one and maybe like 20% of the vocals completed. I remember Dani locking herself in a closet with a laptop and microphone for about 8 hours one day at the studio while everyone else was tracking their parts. We were really excited to hear what she came up with. I think that song went from the bottom to the top of most of our favorites.” – Chris
“Provincial” introduces yet another thrilling dimension to the record, driven by irresistibly catchy guitar riffs that linger long after the track ends. The vocals hit with an even rawer, more emotional intensity, pulling listeners deeper into the song’s atmosphere. A standout drum breakdown, anchored by the low hum of tom-toms, gives the drummer a well-deserved spotlight, while the bass carves out its own moment to shine. And the guitar? Absolutely unforgettable. This might just be the best riff on the entire record. “Foresight” carries the same raw emotion and thoughtful songwriting but delivers it with the depth and intimacy of a ballad until the energy picks up for its bridge section. The bridge erupts with anthemic energy, driven by razor-sharp guitar stabs that leave a lasting impact.
“Water Under the Bridge was a personal favorite of ours. We didn’t fully know how the instrumentation of the tune would pan out when we walked into our week at the studio. It felt like most everything we tried fit together like glue.” – Dani
The true ballad of the record, Water Under the Bridge, closes the EP with haunting beauty. Gentle acoustic guitar picking and a mellow, heartfelt vocal take center stage, wrapped in the warmth of a muted piano that sends chills down the spine. Danielle Judith delivers the song’s aching hook,“When do I get to call this water under the bridge?” with quiet intensity, leaving the question hanging in the air. Though it’s the final track, it feels more like a beginning than an end, hinting at a story still unfolding. Could this be a glimpse of what’s to come on their debut LP? One thing’s for sure, we’ll be waiting for more from Rainbow City Park.
Listen to the record on Spotify now:
Written by Ryan Cassata
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