LOCK-IN have never been a band short on momentum, but with Amsterdam, they sound like a band who’ve used their time away not to pause, but to sharpen every edge.
There’s always pressure when a band disappears for a while. In LOCK-IN’s case, they’d been away from the stage for 9 months before making a triumphant return at London’s Old Blue Last last month while their previous single 11:11 arrived over 12 months ago.
On Amsterdam, LOCK-IN return in style, sounding like a band determined to grab hold of the spotlight and show why they’ve sold out six London headliners.
Amsterdam is built around the bands trademark sound; shimmering guitars, a widescreen indie sound and a chorus that feels ready made for arms in the air moments, Amsterdam, immediately feels larger in ambition and execution than a typical comeback single.
Amsterdam captures that all-consuming feeling of being completely lost in somebody else. Frontman Benjy Leak delivers a vocal full of longing and urgency, pouring every ounce of emotion from the lyrics that sit somewhere between obsession, escapism and the hope that maybe this feeling can last forever. There’s urgency in the delivery, but also a vulnerability.
What stands out is the balance the band strike between scale and intimacy. Sonically the driving rhythms feel euphoric and built for festival fields, the guitars shimmer and surge rather than overpower, creating a feeling of lift throughout the track while allowing the melody to stay front and centre, whilst the emotion from the lyrics make it feel intensely personal.
“Amsterdam’ is about getting completely lost in somebody. It’s that feeling where every little thing
Benjy Leak
means something, every text gets overthought and every plan somehow ends up revolving around
one person. We wanted the song to feel massive but nostalgic at the same time – like a memory
you’re still trying to hold onto.”
LOCK-IN have always had the instinct for infectious indie hooks and Amsterdam continues that trend. The verses pull you, before that repeated chorus hook of “Take me to Amsterdam” sounds euphoric and tap into something universal; and ready made for mass singalongs when played live.
It’s one of those choruses that feels familiar on first listen not because it sounds like anything else, but because it taps into something universal; obsession, escapism and getting completely lost in somebody.
LOCK-IN return in spectacular fashion with Amsterdam. It’s a soaring indie anthem packed with shimmering guitars, huge singalong hooks and a chorus destined for festival fields this summer. Cinematic, euphoric and emotionally charged this feels like the sound of a band stepping into their biggest era yet.
Amsterdam is out now on all streaming platforms
LOCK-IN Socials
ThisIsTheMusic 
Leave a comment