“Bystander” is consuming new single out today from Nashville-based singer/songwriter Mason Summit, channeling a range of psych-touched introspection and anthemic rock/pop cohesion. “‘Cause I’m a bystander,” the chorus exudes, fondly reminiscent of Manic Street Preachers in the vocal tone and ascending hookiness from the emotive verses. Shades of Elliott Smith also show in the central chorus’ ghostly backing vocal effect.
The title-touting sequence is especially intriguing past the mid-point, where lush acoustics combine with a more withdrawn vocal presence. Ruminating guitars escalate into the more spirited rendition, conjuring an invigorating perception of how many of us are forced to sit and watch idly, as broader powers commit atrocities and injusticies. “Bystander” is a fully convincing success, with poignant lyrical reflections, from Mason Summit.
“This is a rock protest song about American complacency in the face of domestic & global injustices,” Summit explains. “I’m an Ashkenazi Jew, & I wrote this last fall about staying silent while Israel began its ongoing siege of Gaza.”
“Instead of pointing fingers at others, I wrote this song to examine my own privilege & complicity in the situation. While these ongoing atrocities informed the lyrics, the sentiment of ‘Bystander’ applies to any number of issues we try to ignore in our daily lives, including climate change, police brutality, & economic inequality.”
Summit is also part of The Prickly Pair, an Americana duo with his fiancée Irene Greene.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
