EP REVIEW: glimmers’ ‘WORLDS APART’ Is One For The Ages
EP REVIEW: glimmers’ ‘WORLDS APART’ Is One For The Ages
This EP is pure gold.
Words By: Bre Offenberger
Atlanta-based rock outfit glimmers have released their latest EP, Worlds Apart, via Common Ground Collective. It’s a concept album about the fluctuations of a relationship that features sublime instrumentation and out-of-this-world vocals and lyricism that will propel this worthy group to stardom.
The opener, “Not Good At Goodbyes,” commences with a guitar so light and serene that it could quell a field of hungry dogs if need be. Frontwoman Maggie Schneider reflects on the day her ex left her, remembering every detail from the color draining from her face to the way she played with her hair to distract herself. Though she made it seem as if if was fine that he was leaving, on the inside, her heart was splitting in two. Lostbody plays her ex, explaining that he wishes he would’ve said more before he left. He even reveals he’s still in love with her and hopes they can see another day. At the end, they both agree it’s better to see where they go than give up on what could blossom into something remarkable.
“Purple Tux” kicks off with jubilant keys before Schneider juxtaposes the vibe with her hard-hitting words: does her partner actually see a future between them? She reminisces on the beginning of their relationship, when they were both entirely smitten and without a care in the world. Backup vocalist Alex Norrell acts out the other side of the story, though it’s made clear almost instantly that he feels the same way. Their gorgeous harmonizing seamlessly blends within the exuberant sonic elements, but an answer is never given as to where they plan to go from here.
The group have released a video to chronicle each song off glimmers’ EP, and with the official release came the video for the last chapter: “Stay.” Pacifying keys guide the listener into a bedroom, where Schneider is found waking up next to her boo. The previous chapter, “By The Lips,” closed with Schneider sitting him down on her bed, preparing to fully tell him everything he needs to hear before they rekindle their relationship. It seems like everything went well — because when she remembers he’s next to her, she looks at him and smiles.
As she heads out to the kitchen to pour herself a cup of coffee, she reminisces on when they first met and how she knew they were in it for the long haul. She goes back to her room and sits down at her keyboard, serenading him as she tries to work out her feelings via song. Strings soon join in the background and the entire atmosphere transforms into a soothing dreamland. Even though he has his doubts, Schneider doesn’t in the slightest, and she thinks it’s best to keep moving forward rather than let what ifs consume them. Norrell, playing the role of her partner, echoes her sentiments right back to her. His body, however, somehow stays asleep through Schneider’s powerful ballad. When he finally wakes up, she asks if she can play the song she just wrote, and he lets her. But before she can start again, the video goes black, and there’s no saying what the fate of their relationship will be.
Of the EP, glimmers shares: “This EP means a lot to all of us because it represents two years of hard work. It is a concept record, from the very first song to the last. Each of the five songs follows the progression of a relationship, as well as the stages of heartbreak: love, loss, denial, bargaining, hope, and acceptance. Will our characters get back together? Or will they remain worlds apart? It’s up to you to decide.”
If it wasn’t clear from each of the individual singles, all of them flowing right into the next on the EP serve as an indicator that this is group is special. Even with just a handful of songs, glimmers have proven their talent stretches out endlessly. Do yourself a favor, and stream Worlds Apart to see for yourself.
