From the very first taste of the album with single, ‘heat’, it was undeniable that this was a new chapter for the magnetic three-piece. With echoes of Vampire Weekend and Circa Waves, this effervescent track set the spirited yet eccentric tone for the era through idiosyncratic melodies and lyrics relishing in the joy of changing seasons. This track is an exemplary introduction to the album, displaying idealistic fractions of all of the stand-out features.
In the opener and titular track ‘Everyone, Outside’, the idyllic scene is instantaneously set. With an almost jazz-like rhythm alongside the repeated affirmation style lyrics in the chorus ‘everyone feels alright outside', the listener is transported to a time of certainty and belonging. Frontman, Rob Ellis says “That title, ‘everyone, outside’ started as a song about how weird it is that we stay inside all the time when being out in nature always makes us feel better. Over time, it came to mean more than that - like a metaphor for being your truest, most natural self, unburdened, like when no one’s watching”.
This upbeat attitude is then replicated in the following track ‘Friends’, with the occasional casual whistle hiding behind the verses and maintaining an energy that would be tricky not to shimmy along to, reminiscent of an early 2010s indie-pop chart-topper in the best way.
One of the gems within the album would have to be ‘awake’, which, truthfully, on first listen can startle with that familiar alarm clock sound to begin the track. Yet, the listener is put at ease in an instance at the soothing sound of frontman Rob Ellis’ smooth and suave voice. The brassy jazz sound perfectly coincides with the passionate vocals shining through, making for a track that urges to be sung at the top of your lungs. This theme of passionate yearning is utterly contrasted in track ‘new dimension’, arguably the strongest track on the album which intertwines a mix of falsetto and a backing so chilled, yet compelling, that the likes of Tame Impala come to mind.
‘Obvious’ is a track that belongs blasted on a mini speaker in a packed park in mid-June as the sun hails down on giggling circles of friends; the type of song that both makes you ponder on the silliest dilemmas within its brutally relatable lyricism but also frees you from that stress with a beat that drowns out any worries. It simply never gets old.
Ending on nothing but a high, ‘reframe’ is a journey of guitar solos to conflicting lyrics to a bridge that wants to be played to a room full of fans. This track ties the album up in a perfect bow—a danceable ode to the new era of Cassia. Fortunately, Cassia are set to play across the UK and Europe this Spring, and tickets can be found here.
Amy Porter
Image: 'Everyone, Outside' Official Album Cover
