Synth Single Review: “Couldn't It Be Me?” by Color Theory

by Karl Magi

Color Theory’s “Couldn't It Be Me?” exudes shivering fragility from the softly brushing background and Color Theory’s voice hangs on the edge of emotional delicacy as it transmits a deep attraction  around a melody which slowly bubbles up and trickles in round tones. 

The sweeping background distance contrasts with the warmth and engagement of the vocals while a piano emphasizes anticipatory wanting. Color Theory pulls me into feelings that mingle hope with anxiety. 

As the distinctive vocals create muffled tenderness, circular arpeggios glide with soothing peace and a velvety piano. A computerized melodic pattern weaves affection while chimes evoke tiny flickers of excitement and the song comes to an end on an active underpinning throb.

Both the song’s subject and the narrator can't deny what's going on or "pretend the brush of your hand was a slip." The other person used to tell him everything but "now the rush of saying too much makes us sick." He asks if there's ever a chance of falling when they're leaning on his arm with each step.

"Sometimes when you stare, hanging in the air," our storyteller finds himself awaiting a sign while their heartbeats come together and break the spell as he asks, “Couldn't it be me? " A shiver runs down his back and he wonders if he and the song's subject will "test our resolve." He points out that friendships evolve and choices get made as he once again asks, "Couldn't it be me?"

Speaking of the "chalk outlines of relationships," the narrator suggests that they've "swallowed our pride for too long” but as he starts to make a confession (more or less) the other person has already changed to the subject. He concludes: "Would a casual kiss be such a risk? I think I already know the answer. "