On February 27th, GHOSTFORM released their cathartic debut EP Songs To Cry To, reflecting on life lessons Gotti learned after overcoming hardships. I recently interviewed Gotti, who shared the meaning behind the EP title. Crying is a physical release enabling you to process different emotions, including grief. Therefore, these songs are Gotti’s form of Crying.
While the EP is primarily loud, it is also tender and hopeful, reminiscent of hiking a rocky trail with the satisfaction of reaching the top.
The opening track is “sleeves.” There is a dark guitar intro demonstrating the introspective tone. I love the gradual dynamic shifts in the arrangement, as it is heavy and intense during the verses, yet light and free during the choruses. Evoking the sense of tension and release. This is especially heard in the rich drum arrangement, enhancing the mood and message. Lyrically, Gotti expresses his passion for creating music, demonstrated in this line of the chorus.
“I wear my heart out on my sleeves, I’m more than a machine.”
To Gotti, this lyric conveys how creating music is deeply personal, and the meaning is even more relevant now with the emergence of AI artists. The music is unemotional, requiring the human touch.
One of my favourite tracks on the EP is “Second Chances,” written about advice Gotti received over the years. I deeply connect with this song, as when it came out, I was feeling uncertain about my future. Working freelance is rewarding as it allows me to explore different opportunities; however, I am constantly searching for what’s next. This line in “Second Chances” is my mantra.
“You said when your day starts and your world begins, you have all day to think of what you want…” This line is my reminder to embrace each day and learn from my mistakes.
Another highlight moment of “Second Chances” is in the second verse where Gotti belts, “She asked me, would you even like being with someone as smart as you?’ How would I know?”
These lyrics are paired with a guitar line that to me sounds like a call and response, evoking the feeling of asking a question.
The third song on the EP is “Irresistible, and the music video is out now. Documenting GHOSTFORM’s first-ever performances. The song is nostalgic, reminiscent of 2000s TV show soundtracks such as “One Tree Hill” or “The OC.” “Irresistible” is gentle and soft in the beginning, and there is a beautiful crescendo, harmonies and adlibs added to the mix. I love the joy in Gotti’s vocals, enhancing the emotion and mood.
The final track is “You Want’ discussing how sometimes people struggle accepting that you changed, and may want something that represented who you were before. Although they have good intentions, it can feel frustrating.
I rated “Songs To Cry To” 10/10 as I love how the vocals are the centre while enabling each element to shine. Sometimes this is rare to find in the rock genre music, where the focus often is on the roaring guitars and the booming drums.
GHOSTFORM will be playing their first Toronto show at North By North East this June!