Houston pop rock trio Waterparks have broken their silence to grace our ears with their first new piece of music since the release of FANDOM in 2019.
The track, which frontman Awsten Knight teased on an Instagram livestream earlier this month (in true Awsten fashion), encapsulates a perfect blend of hope, fun, and stress. Lyrics like “I haven’t had a day off since my blue hair, and I combat how the pressure feels” showcase Knight’s experience with finding comfort in the midst of the busyness that permeates his day-to-day life.
“Lowkey As Hell” calls back to the one of the first tracks to be released from FANDOM. The line “I like cool shirts, I like cold rings, I want a big house, but I’m hiding” references the chorus of “Watch What Happens Next.” But this time around, Knight isn’t demanding respect from fans and the music scene. Instead, he laments that “I think I’m halfway there but my heart feels off, so what’s the point in being great if I’m great alone?”
Much like “Watch What Happens Next,” Knight is offering Waterparks’ fans a glimpse into his current state of mind. The admissions woven into the lyrics of “Lowkey As Hell” are much more vulnerable, and a touch on the bittersweet side.
Knight’s vocals are accompanied by instrumentation from Geoff Wigington (guitar) and Otto Wood (drums). The song itself contains each standout element from Waterparks’ past works. The fun, slightly upbeat instrumentals from Double Dare? Check. The open and honest lyrics from Entertainment? Yep. The intricate production of the tracks on Fandom? Yeah, it’s got that too.
“Lowkey As Hell” is reminiscent of everything that makes up the best installments in Waterparks’ discography. This latest addition to their catalog is not only great, but it’s Waterparks at their best.
With each song they put out, Waterparks prove that they’re capable of pushing the boundaries and constantly evolving their sound. If “Lowkey As Hell” is any indication of what we can expect from this new era, then we can’t wait to see what’s next.
You can stream “Lowkey As Hell” below.
