If it’s hard to pin down exactly where “Burnout” fits on the musical map, that is only because it seems to fit almost everywhere rather than in one specific genre or sound or style. But that is as it should be, and that is what makes a song progressive and forward-thinking rather than merely happy to conform to existing demarcations and play by the rules of the past.
Here, Noah XO is a sonic alchemist, blending modern alt-pop chops with the urgency and energy of punkier grooves, a darkness with easy accessibility, and rock vibes with unexpected danceability. In fact, it is hard to see what he has left out.
The mixing of these sounds, everything from acoustic understatement to alt-rock weight, makes for a dynamic song with broad appeal, something that ticks boxes in many musical quarters but is beholden to none.
And if the music is a mercurial beast, the lyrics are more straightforward. It’s an anthem for all those who are tired of putting on a brave face, who are exhausted by the simple act of trying to hold it all together. Specifically talking about issues around mental health exhaustion and social isolation, it also has broader connotations for so many of us caught up in the whirlwind of the modern age.
A big song but also an important one.
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