Messages (San Cisco song)

"Messages" is a song by Australian indie pop band San Cisco, released on 10 July 2020 as the second single from their fourth studio album Between You and Me (2020).

"Messages"
A blonde woman in a black dress holds a landline phone to her ear, with the band's name and song title displayed in white text at the bottom right of the image
Single by San Cisco
from the album Between You and Me
Written2018–2020[1]
Released10 July 2020
Recorded2018–2020[1]
Genre
Length3:19
LabelIsland City Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
San Cisco singles chronology
"On the Line"
(2020)
"Messages"
(2020)
"Alone"
(2020)

Background and release

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"Messages" was released on 10 July 2020, alongside the announcement of San Cisco's fourth studio album Between You and Me.[4] Lead vocalist Jordi Davieson said of the song in a press release:

""Messages" is a tongue-in-cheek bop about shitty friends. Originally the lyrics were loosely inspired by my frustration with [drummer] Scarlett never replying to my messages, but when we decided the track would be much better with her singing vocals instead, she added in a few of her annoyances about me. It turned into quite a constructive process for our friendship! She still never replies to messages..."[4]

Composition and lyrics

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Gigwise described the song as having "eighties synth [which] mingles with disco bass and splashy percussion" and "bittersweet" lyrics,[2] whilst music critic Thomas Bleach noted the song as having a "pop aesthetic".[3] The lyrics "explore the annoyances of shitty friendships and highlights the frustrating reality of being left on read."[3]

Critical reception

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Al Newstead of Triple J labelled the song "another upbeat pop".[1]

Jessie Atkinson of Gigwise described the song as a "bubblegum new cut", further stating "evokes the feeling of going out on the town even when you're feeling a bit down in the dumps."[2]

Thomas Bleach called the song a "short and punchy pop track", additionally describing it as a "playful concept... executed in a really upbeat fashion."[3]

Music video

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The music video was released on 9 July 2020 and was directed by Duncan Wright.[5]

Synopsis

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The music video depicts the band "performing at a dance with clips of drummer and singer Scarlett Stevens chatting on a lips designed phone whilst doing things like working out.[6]

Reception

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Gigwise praised the music video as a "total Austin Powers affair: all lemon yellow décor, hotpants and lip phones."[2] Triple J's Al Newstead labelled it a "cracking" video.[1] ColoRising found the set to be "vibrantly designed" and "clever", saying it gives the video a "fun and cheeky appeal".[6]

Track listings

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Digital download[7]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Messages"
3:19
Album release
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
4."Messages"
  • Davieson
  • Stevens
3:19

Credits and personnel

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Adapted from the parent album's liner notes.[8]

San Cisco

  • Jordi Davieson – writer, vocals
  • Josh Biondillo – guitar, keys
  • Scarlett Stevens – drums, vocals

Other musicians

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Fuamoli, Sose (10 July 2020). "San Cisco announce new album, Between You and Me". Triple J. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d Atkinson, Jessie (8 July 2020). "First Play: San Cisco are so done with your shit in new single 'Messages'". Gigwise. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Bleach, Thomas (12 July 2020). "Single Review: San Cisco – Messages". Thomas Bleach. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  4. ^ a b Triscari, Caleb (10 July 2020). "San Cisco announce new album, 'Between You and Me'". NME Australia. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  5. ^ "San Cisco – Messages (Official Video)". 9 July 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ a b "San Cisco 'Messages' Video". ColoRising. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  7. ^ "Messages – Single by San Cisco on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  8. ^ Between You and Me (booklet). San Cisco. Island City Records. 2020.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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