I stumbled upon "Don't Waste My Time (LA mix)," and that's how I find great songs. I don't know why, but I flipped my phone over in the first few seconds to check out what was playing just because of the bassline. It really pulls you in. I didn't even get to the end of the song before I knew it was going to stick with me.
4fro Nick assembles the song in a natural and unforced fashion. The guitars fit nicely next to the bass, and a keyboard plays in and out without bothering anyone. It took me a couple of listens to fully take in the vocal, but it still feels understated. It never rushes. It sounds more like he's speaking to one person than singing to an audience. That gives the song a certain confidence.
I changed the track to "Get There Before Noon (LA2 mix)," and the vibe shifted, but it still had a connection. The rhythm section is a little more aggressive, and the guitars are a little more edgy. It moves with purpose, as if it knows exactly where it's going. The vocals are in tune with that feeling. It remains relaxed and to the point. After about halfway, it all comes together and then comes undone again. The moment it happened, I heard it for the first time, and it's still stuck in my head.
Both songs are now available on a two-track vinyl single, and they complement each other nicely. They don't feel like rehashes of the same concept. One song slows down a bit, and the other moves forward a bit. That said, they are obviously cut from the same cloth and share the same idea of what a song should sound like.
This week I've been listening to both songs while doing normal things—cooking, walking, and simply trying to get through the day. They don't expect you to give them everything, but they give something back when you listen to them. That's the one thing that sticks with me and why I keep going back to both of them.
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