Driptones are a genre-fluid indie band based in Gainesville, FL. Their particular brand of indie music doesn’t follow the rules and we get more of this deviance on their latest single, “Nicotine”. Their first single released in December of last year, “Give and Take” was a mid-tempo indie rock romp rife with catchy hooks, jangly guitars, and fantastic interplay between masculine and feminine vocals. This track gained traction quickly and prompted the band to release another single in December.
The thing about “Nicotine” is that it’s very different from “Give and Take”. They could have chosen to emulate the sound that garnered quick success but instead they decided to experiment and try out new and interesting techniques. For starters, the band hone in a lot on dynamics and throw in a lot of sonic variety in terms of volume. The duality found within the softer and louder sections make for a lot of different pieces that fit well together.
The lead vocals by Xander Boggs are impressive and employ a striking vibrato. They’re soulful and powerful, rivaling vocalists in bands that have been around for much longer. The tone is smoky (get it?) and emotive, allowing for a ton of expression. Not only are the lead vocals fantastic, but there are haunting female background vocals from Emily Hyden that elevate the atmosphere of this track to a new level. The chorus, sung by Emily and Zach (Gerbi, bass and vocals) is so smooth and pleasant that it kind of makes me want to have a cigarette (don’t worry, I’ve quit years ago).
The guitars are vibrant and take on a minimalist approach, providing a ton of support to the other instruments. They give the vocals, drums, bass, and keyboard room to breathe and constantly provide a groovy backbone. The part where the guitar shines most is after the mind-blowing flute breakdown with pleasant and funky stop-start chords that are a perfect transition from the most exciting moment on the track. That moment being the aforementioned flute section. This part reminds me of two things: elevator music on crack, and Legend of Zelda esque flutes. Mix them together and add a constantly-increasing tempo, and you have a winning formula that ends up being a rewarding payoff. Emily’s execution of the flute leaves nothing to be desired aside from more instances of it.
Synths are often used to back up guitar sections and it creates a full sound with more layers to pick apart. The inclusion of “wind” or “inhaling” noises are a clever choice and build a world around the vibe of the track. The bass adds to the low-end and is present and noticeable throughout. While there weren’t any crazy bass sections, the licks are solid and add a much-needed groove to the track. The best moments for Zach Gerbi on bass are the chorus, where he’s able to embellish a bit more and stand out from the guitars and behind the flute breakdown, where he follows the melody perfectly and along with the drums, create a perfect sense of urgency.
The drum flourishes by Tripp Jones are concise and purposeful. During the slower sections of the track, the drum hits are masterfully timed to create a laid-back and hazy atmosphere but the fills give the listener doses of the rolling speed that Jones is capable of. He provides fantastic structural support along with a good amount of variety in terms of technique and in dynamics.
To conclude, this track has the effect of its title. It buzzes with a hazy, nervous electricity does a lot of things different than your average indie rock track. I’m excited to see where the band can go from this point because it seems to me like their intended direction is weird and eclectic, which makes for a more interesting listen in my opinion. Make sure to check them out on socials to stay up to date with music releases, announcements, and merch drops!
Instagram: thedriptones
Facebook: Driptones
Spotify: Driptones
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