Sluka Pushes Positivity on New Single “Figure It Out”
By Deuce
Sluka’s new single and video for “Figure It Out” brims with hope. It provides that glimmer of light in darkness, a calming reassurance when perhaps there’s no logical reason for it, and a hand to hold and steady oneself in the uncertainty of reality.
That all of this is accomplished within a four-minute song is a testament to the ethos and craftsmanship of the band led by Christopher Sluka. More specifically, it’s also a nod to the compositional skills revealed on this piece.
This track, which includes several prolonged periods bereft of vocals, is similar to some of Prince’s numbers—specifically “3 Chains O’ Gold”—in that it encompasses multiple movements. Some are slow and plaintive. Others are jubilant and moving. Most of all, they involve a variety of different musicians, instruments, and feelings that somehow all coalesce into a single, cohesive song.
The most accessible part of “Figure It Out” is easily the hook which is upbeat, bouncy, and deceptively simple in its refrain of the tune’s title—hence the chief reason for its optimism. In the midst of adversity, darkness, or tenuousness, the track takes on the verve of classic rock and roll by exhorting listeners to unravel the mystery and, somehow, surpass it. The harmonies added and the rapid playing of the drums during this transitional moment aggrandize the urgency and sureness that any such obstacles can be readily overcome.
Nonetheless, the musicianship demonstrated on other movements is artful in its ability to depict entirely different sentiments. It sounds like the band’s got both a whole string and horn section in some passages, when in reality the former’s simply Nico Hueso on the violin and viola and Erdis Maxhelaku on the cello. Meanwhile, the elaborate horn section is just Brad Steinwehe on the trumpet and Jordan Morita on the trombone—although it should be noted that there are ‘orchestral arrangements’ attributed to Jesse Audelo.
Thus, Sluka’s got the right cast of characters to cover an enormous amount of ground in the span of a single song. The band plays this advantage well, leaving you to believe anything’s possible after giving this a listen or two.
