I think music is a great way to wind down and relax. One of my favorite songs is from the Grammy Award-winning indie-rock band, The Strokes.
“Hard to Explain” is a catchy rock anthem that was featured in the band’s 2001 debut album, “Is This It.” The album was critically acclaimed and won the ASCAP College Vanguard’s Best International Album Award.
“Hard to Explain” manages to be an energetic rock anthem, while also conveying a sense of homeyness and familiarity.
The start of the song immediately jumps with a lively guitar riff, which is paired with a high-energy set of drums. The introduction sets the tone for the rest of the song: energetic but controlled.
The song then builds up anticipation with its guitar and slightly distorted vocals, until it transitions to a rhythmic and singable chorus.
This cycle repeats itself up to about three-quarters through its duration, when the music stops during a fake ending, only to be interrupted by the same blaring guitar riff and drum snares as before.
I interpret this song as the New York band’s thoughts about their rising fame and their resentment of the celebrity lifestyle during this time. This is illustrated in lyrics such as, “The joke is on you, this place is a zoo.”
They are anxious to show that their popularity has not changed who they are – a true indie message indeed.
“Hard To Explain” is a fun rock single that captivates you from the start and never lets the energy subside.
