REVIEW: Movements Break New Ground With Bold New Single, "Barbed Wire Body"
It feels like ages since Movements’ 2020 album No Good Left To Give and its B-sides hit the scene. The Orange County band’s sophomore album was a breakthrough for them, showcasing and honoring the lush yet melancholy sound that the greater pop-punk and emo community cannot help but cherish. Following up 2017’s Feel Something, Movements explore what it’s like to be approaching some resolution after prolonged battles with mental health issues and turbulent relationships, and coming out the other end burnt out and raw. Consequently, No Good Left To Give shows a more hopeful yet bittersweet side of Movements, featuring vibrant sounds and resonant lyricism on tracks like “Skin To Skin,” “Don’t Give Up Your Ghost,” and “Moonlight Lines.” Now, their latest single “Barbed Wire Body” continues the musical journey they’ve embarked on, fully embracing the energetic style they’d been wading towards.
“Barbed Wire Body” is fiery, opening with an explosive guitar riff and intricate drums before introducing Patrick Miranda’s vocals, with more prominent and crisp production on them than ever. And the band doesn't let up, embracing this new sound in the most “Movements” way possible—fast, loud, but without compromising their signature ambiance and emotional depth. There are few moments when the song is stripped down, but they only ever occur before returning to the rousing chorus. On the chorus, Miranda belts out the words, adding to the song’s infectious nature, before erupting into a bouncy beat. The song’s schema plays into the band’s desire to “write an upbeat track with tons of energy that just felt fun and exciting,” says Miranda, continuing on to say: “I think this song is the first of a new era of songwriting for us.” And clearly, their venture has paid off, as “Barbed Wire Body” is one of their most innovative songs to date.
This new track is a masterclass in marrying musicality with lyrical content. The song follows an individual who struggles with emotional closeness while still seeking “validation from others by way of intimacy,” Miranda added. Thus, the image of a “Barbed Wire Body” is born—someone who, in actuality, is only hurting themselves with the barriers they put up. And there is no chance of the individual diminishing those barriers, as they’re described as being “armed up to the teeth” in the chorus. The lyrics are cutting—literally, centering around the act of being wounded. The line “You’re staying sharp” employs a double entendre, as someone with a “Barbed Wire Body” quite literally would have sharp edges, but this also means they’re alert, so they can pull away if they feel they’re getting too close to someone. This attention to detail extends beyond the lyrics Patrick Miranda sings, and into the rest of the band’s contributions as well. Compared to much of Movements’ other material, “Barbed Wire Body” has a lightning quick tempo, making it a quick listen. The song is about as agile as its subject when jumping in and out of relationships, and evading any emotional vulnerability. In turn, this makes “Barbed Wire Body” an enticing listen from every angle.
Bands breaking into new territory is always a big deal, and for Movements, it’s paid off. “Barbed Wire Body” is a harsh exposé about an individual, crossed with the uplifting nature of a movie opening, and some of Movements’ most ambitious material yet. In all probability, this will serve as a little source of dopamine this spring, both for Movements fans and newcomers, and leave them excited for future releases from the group.
