Now almost a year deep into a global pandemic, there’s no doubt that nostalgia has served as a light at the end of the tunnel; a reminder of what’s to come when we’ve finally emerged on the other side. But don’t let that fool you with Honeymoon Driver’s latest single, “College”. For all its nostalgia of the old college days, it has equally as much to say about the educational system.
The song was written while founding members Blake and Alex were attending University, and despite emitting the energy of a track you’d smash tables to at a college party, the energy isn’t unprompted.
Frontman Blake D’entremont said of the track’s impetus that “it critiques the shortcomings of post-secondary education and the effects it has on mental and financial health. The song is used to vent frustration towards college/university institutions as they often act more as a business than a place of learning and how in most cases create a barrier for individuals and even more so for people dealing with issues of mental health.”
From this energy comes a punchy, aggressive and fun alt-rock anthem that keeps things entertaining but critical as well. “College” balances the highs and the lows. That is, at least, the college experience most can relate to.: the all-nighters partying… and the all-nighters studying, the great memories, and the things we still wish we could forget.
At a time when student/institution relations are at a really fascinating place — with some tensions being as high as they’ve ever been — students have been left to consider if these places really have our best interests in mind. The Nova Scotia-based trio really hits the nail right on the head here.
Make no mistake though, the track makes no sacrifices to be serious.
“The idea was to create a college anthem with punchy/danceable music that would counterbalance the harsh critical overtones of the lyrics,” says d’Entremont.
It’s still that catchy and aggressive alt-rock sound we’ve come to expect from Honeymoon Driver. You won’t be disappointed.
Although the group took some time between now and their last release in 2019, they have two more singles on the way for early 2021.