Synth Single Review: “Game Over” by Saturday AM
by Karl Magi
Saturday AM’s “Game Over” interweaves a series of ethereal chords that spread with dreaming melancholy and a tide of delicately illuminating synth before the vocals slip with such an ache that my heart clenches in sympathy, carrying a melody that bleeds tenderness.
Matt Freeland’s wet-sheened guitar notes cascade into an evocation of lights passing by on a late night highway before Aaron Boyd grasps all of the feelings that pierce the melody’s smooth sparkle. The feeling of late night driving, a head full of thought, permeates the song as Aaron Boyd’s voice reaches into a well of heartfelt emotion to capture the listener.
A declaration of earnest affection fills the vocals while the guitar mingles with chimes that call to mind streetlights flickering off of a windshield. All of the musical elements drift mournfully, intermingling with the touching vocals before the drums erupt a final time along with Aaron Boyd’'s undeniably expressive performance before the song ends.
As he still recalls the letter that the song’s subject sent him in late September, the narrator says that they were so high and the other person said they didn't know what they were looking for. He adds, "I wish you well but this is goodbye." He urges the audience not to throw everything away "for a love that leaves you cold" and avoid pursuing the same errors that never let you go.
Our storyteller reminds the audience that,"it might feel impossible, but you will never know" and what we choose to do “can change what you call home." Remembering the early summer days and nights when everything was brand new, he says, "you caught me off guard, fell right into my life and it became ours" and he knew it was right at that moment.
As he promises that he'll never take the song’s subject for granted, the narrator asks the other person to hold his hand and hold on tight. He tells the other person "baby, you don't need to worry, we'll be in no hurry" as he adds that they're safe tonight by his side. He concludes by saying, "take my hand, we've come so far now."
