Chicago-based alternative indie rock band Neptune’s Core just released their brand new single “Inside,” an outlet for the band to explore brokenness. The band is comprised of two sets of sisters, Sofie Richter (vocals/guitar), Hannah Richter (bass) Jackie Cywinski (guitar/vocals), and Kaitlin Cywinski (drums), all forging their path and making a mark on the Chicago indie scene. With two albums already under their belt, the band is no stranger to producing catchy and soothing indie tracks, exploring their lives and the world surrounding them in a unique and beautiful sonic landscape.
“Inside” starts slow and nostalgic, full of breathy and soft vocals. Exploring the themes of anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, the song lets the listener know they aren’t alone in feeling these ways. The percussion is steady and rhythmic, marching along with the quiet and subtle guitars. As the pre-chorus creeps up, they sing “I slip away and I’m floating/I’m sick and tired of devoting/All my time in search of why I feel so empty inside.” A relatable and somber lyric, it is exhausting dealing with feelings of brokenness and thinking about it too much can be overwhelming.
The song takes a startling change as they sing “Tell me/When does it get better?” with heavier percussion, louder and more passionate vocals and fiery guitars. The song changes between the same few lyrics because the band is in such an aura of despair, and sometimes there is only so much you can say. As the song progresses, the listener gets lost in the heavy instrumentation that happens halfway through the song, with the band screaming into the mic for help, feeling lost “Inside” themselves.
“When does it get better?” is the main mantra of the song, and especially if you suffer from mental health issues, the question is always on your mind. I wanted the song to keep going on but it abruptly ends, leaving you feeling like you want more because even though it is almost five minutes long, it brings you in and holds you there. Overall, it is a very strong and emotionally heavy track that leaves you wanting to explore Neptune’s Core further, getting lost in their breathy and inviting tracks.
