photo by Dave Green Photography; photo courtesy of Knyvet

Single Reviews of Battlemode: “Playlist” and “Just Pretend”

Battlemode is a trio of Boston-based purveyors of super-catchy, hypnotically beat-driven chiptune pop. To any of us not embedded in the heart of that particular electronic music scene, stylistically, think synthpop. Mostly, though, think of an electronic-based, danceclub-ready, infectious, thumping earworm. Or, in this case, two tuneful aural parasites – “Playlist” and “Just Pretend.”

artwork by Sadie Parrotta; image courtesy of Knyvet

You my have seen Battlemode – Biff, Astro, and Sam – featured at Boston Bitdown in March. The group is scheduled to appear at Boston Calling in May. Simply put, Battlemode is everywhere this year, and deservedly so.

“Playlist” kicks things off right from the start with an electronic dance beat that’s an immediate attention-grabber, moving on to heartfelt, powerful pop vocals, appropriate for the song’s way-cool lyrics, featuring the oft-repeated “It’s over. All I have left is your playlist, your playlist.” The mid-song rap, as the electro-beat continues, provides a tempo-change, before the full wall-of-sound and the primary vocals return. You will be singing this song all afternoon after just about any mid-day listen, that’s for sure! In fact, if you can’t groove along to “Playlist,” you’re probably dead inside.

image courtesy of Knyvet

“Just Pretend” has a more mainstream pop music feel, the sort of thing you might hear from a Nick Jonas tune, particularly in collaboration with other artists, like Battlemode, perhaps, sometime down the road. It’s not really super-different stylistically from “Playlist” – clearly two songs from the same artist – but there’s a unique vocal breakdown early on and a slightly more complicated baseline rhythm. The mid-song rap comes a little earlier in the song. There are also some nifty sound effects. I know the band’s bio says Astro’s instrument is the Game Boy. That’s sure what it sounds like. Or, more precisely, it sounds an awful like the sound effects from the old arcade game Caterpillar. Regardless, it totally fits in with the song, making an already-engaging tune even a little more interesting.

It’s easy to get hung up trying to describe Battlemode’s sound, but that’s hardly the point. Battlemode’s songs are sure to appeal to anyone who likes music, especially if you enjoy pop, electronic, or any related style, but not necessarily just that group of music fans. The songs are well-written, engaging, and hooky, suggesting the potential for massive crossover appeal, too.

photo by Dave Green Photography; photo courtesy of Knyvet

Looking Ahead

Battlemode has a couple upcoming concerts listed on the “Shows” page of the band’s website. On May 7th, you can catch them in Boston as part of the “Sound On” concert series. And on May 21st, Battlemode will take the stage at Boston Calling in Allston, MA. Of course, keeping checking the band’s website for future live performance dates.