Range Life - "West Again"

New Jersey’s Range Life knows how to use nostalgia in a captivating way. Their latest single, “West Again,” is anchored by the kind of ringing guitar tones that’ll induce warm memories. Paired with a swirling backbeat, songwriter Mike Chiarappa creates a hazy atmosphere, the kind that feels like the aural equivalent of diving deep inside the confines of your own mind to piece together memories. The song has a lo-fi sound, which helps to build this atmosphere, but it also sounds crisp and a bit melancholic, thus never falling victim to the muddled trappings that bedroom recordings sometimes fall into. The accompanying music video definitely adds to this energy, as Chiarappa’s look is reminiscent of Liam Gallagher in Oasis’ trippy video for “Champagne Supernova.” He’s similarly sporting some round-rimmed Lennon glasses and sitting slumped in a comfy chair. Plus, the video features a whole lotta trippy projections.

Charappa recently shared a bit about the real-life inspiration behind the track: 

'West Again' is a song written for my very best friend who struggled with addiction and getting clean. The lyric in the song 'you don’t stay so clean so long and I get worried you’ll be gone' is even heavier these days as I cope with their passing due to their drug overdose,"

Stream the video below.

“West Again” appears on Range Life’s new album, When It All Gets Old, which you can purchase on vinyl via Partly Cloudy. You can also stream it on Spotify. Keep up with the project via Instagram and Facebook.