I Feel Alive Review
Lydia Zepeda / DJ & Writer / USD Radio
TOPS
Album: I Feel Alive
Label: Musique TOPS
Release Date: April 3, 2020
From Canada, Montreal TOPS is a four-piece band consisting of members Jane Penny, David Carriere, Riley Fleck, and new keyboardist since 2017, Marta Cikojevic. I first heard TOPS when I heard their song “Ways to Be Loved” sometime in 2017 and immediately was intrigued by their sound. A feel good band with dreamy, synthy songs that are extremely ethereal to introspective and everything in between. Before “I Feel Alive” they had four albums. “Sugar at the Gate” being my personal favorite mainly because of their lyrics, use of the flute, and the feelings it was able to capture. “Sugar at the Gate” is such a significant album to me, it holds memories and feelings that I relive each time I listen to it and it has such a powerful effect that I can’t put into words. It’s melancholy, empowering, and feel-good all at once. The range of feelings and emotions it’s able to capture in one album truly amazes me. Although there are many other “indie rock” bands that have a similar sound to them, something about TOPS is so different and I haven’t heard anyone else able to replicate their sound or bring about such a range of emotions.
As for the album “I Feel Alive”, it is a wonderful blend of sad, dreamy, and happy upbeat songs with poetic lyrics and captivating singing by Jane Penny who’s high pitch range is super impressive and just fun to listen to. A simple, elegant female voice that captures your attention and is full of emotion and charm. Every word is clear and crisp yet haunting and dreamy that sticks with you. In comparison to TOPS’ other albums, this album sounds cleaner. They also remain true to their aesthetic sound incorporating the use of flutes and chimes which I find really neat. Something about the way TOPS uses the flute is so intriguing and they show this off in this album, in particular with the song “Looking to Remember”. The way they use it is so expressive and almost sounds improvised, as if it’s going along with the emotions. I found this album in particular enjoyable because of the catchy rhythms such as in the song “Witching Hour” . At a first listen, these songs can make the album appear to be just a cute upbeat one, but upon further listening it is much more than just a “cute” sound which can be heard in songs like “Take Down” which is my personal favorite. It is much more simple in the way there’s not much going on in the background and yet I found it filled with tension and mystery. Another reason I enjoyed this album was because it’s an album inspired by feelings. In particular, feelings of a new love and all the optimism and good feelings that come with it which is evident in the song “Drowning in Paradise”. Another happy upbeat song repeating the phrase “show me love” in the background like a whimsical dream where everything is perfect. However I feel like all these upbeat feel-good songs are needed in a time like this and although the album “I Feel Alive” describes all those fun new love feelings, it still remains realistic in the way it’s also about the hardships and struggles that come with it exemplified in the song “Too Much”. This song also stuck out to me. It begins with a dreamy synthy sound and is one of the more emotional songs on the album yet it remains peaceful and easy to listen to without being depressing. Although it is a simple song, what makes it so powerful is the emotion in which Jane Penny sings it with and the lyrics which hold so much meaning and truth. In the long run, I found myself really appreciating the not feel- good upbeat songs and liking the more melancholy songs on the album. However, as a whole, the album “I Feel Alive” is one of positivity.
If I could put this album in one word it would be comforting because it makes you feel empowered, not alone, and that things will all be okay and that the feelings you have are normal, whether good or bad. So if you’re feeling down during these times I encourage you to listen to TOPS’ new album “I Feel Alive” , because this album definitely lives up to that title.