BMA single review by Vince Leigh
Big Reef’s first release for 2024 follows in the wake of a catalogue of gloriously varied tracks, an appetising assortment of styles, sounds and quirks.
And Hasta Luego is not about to disturb the siblings’ artistic flow.
The brothers have attempted to cram as much as possible into this indie pop trip. That said, with a running time of seven minutes, they’ve allowed themselves plenty of scope to do so.
Big Reef can never be accused of being predictable, despite working within the framework of ‘80s infused pop. Hasta Luego veers from a guitar crunch sample introduction to a soundscape that seems to mirror the title, a lingering that blends a chorus outro with cascading keys and sliding guitar lines, a whimsical kind of parting that acts as a suitable bookend to that which lies in between.
There are four prominent sections that each possess a form of appreciable, connective power. The verses rely on a reiterated lyric to strengthen what is a hypnotic melody.
This is followed by more repetition —you certainly won’t forget the name of the song by the end of it all—and, as Big Reef so often like to do, a spirited thrust of unadulterated prog rock energy.
It’s not until another verse—and what one might term an alternate version of that verse—that we get a cut time section until the chorus arrives.
The chorus fulfils the expectations of the preceding parts easily, adopting a more robust rhythmic element, and reinforced with a background of dappling synth lines. The vocal moves to those sweet places, providing the melodic payoff we were all hoping for.
Although the semi stop-start of the grooves that follow suggest a desire to give the track a less congenial ride to and from the chorus parts, the strangeness and minimalistic intent allows the bridge—very minimal indeed, at least until it grows into a more fully realised motif—to provide a fitting and alluring juxtaposition for the chorus end.
Hasta Luego is adventurous in spirit and execution, yet also hits the mark melodically, all the while maintaining discernible artifacts of the band’s humorous tendencies.
Listen to this track on Spotify, Apple Music and follow Big Reef’s Youtube Channel