Single Review: COIN - You Are the Traffic

In their latest single, ‘You Are the Traffic,’ COIN take us on a melancholic, dreamy journey. A bit of a musical departure from their upbeat, alternative/pop sound, ‘You Are the Traffic’ leans towards the moody and melodic for the most part. It is at times, monotonous, and yet in other points has an undeniable force to it. In its contradictions, ‘You Are the Traffic’ is at times confusing but is overall an enjoyable single from COIN.

It is potentially one of their most vulnerable songs thematically, and this lyricism weaves itself into the dreamier, more moody melodies

With ‘You Are the Traffic,’ COIN explore the emotional turmoil that comes with holding too tightly onto a person that you really should not be. It is potentially one of their most vulnerable songs thematically, and this lyricism weaves itself into the dreamier, more moody melodies. The echoing vocals throughout certainly hold a level of charm and wistfulness that aids the melancholic atmosphere that COIN create with ‘You Are the Traffic.’

Yet, it is hard not to find this repetitive at times. The song begins with a simple guitar and the lead singer’s vocals. It is a strikingly stripped back opening, that only really builds with the introduction of drums throughout the first verse. The chorus introduces guitars and synth melodies that feel on the verge of a huge catharsis, but never quite reach it.

It is not until the end of the second chorus that ‘You Are the Traffic’ really takes off. As the second chorus ends and each instrument falls out, the lyrics ‘you are the problem, you are the traffic’ really pierce through and strike a nerve. The entire bridge that follows builds with an intense guitar riff that then explodes into a frenzy of drums and synth effects for the final chorus. It is the cathartic outburst that the earlier choruses and verses never quite reached, but, in a way, the song revels in its dramatic rises and falls.

Whilst ‘You Are the Traffic’ doesn’t scream the upbeat, alternative/pop sound that COIN have created for themselves, it is by no means a bad song. At times it may be repetitive, but there are moments of real passion that strike through and resonate with the emotional intensity that they are exploring. ‘You Are the Traffic’ revels in its peaks and falls, and luckily, the peaks are powerful enough to justify the falls.