The Search
Today, we have a band with us that, to my shame, I hadn’t known about until now. I’m talking about The Search from Sweden, who have just released a new album. Originally a band that almost broke through in the early 2000s, The Search evolved into a solo project by Tekeyan.
In 2020, it reached its peak with the critically acclaimed album “Heart’s Racing”. In 2022, the band reformed and released the highly praised studio album “Extras”. Now, Razmig Tekeyan, along with Måns Hartman (bass), Stephen Burt (lead guitar), and Johann Bernövall (drums), presents the album “Indulgence”.
It is a collection of songs characterised by high personal relevance and emotional impact, delving deep into the human psyche. Razmig Tekeyan and his bandmates succeed in bridging introspective thoughts and universal themes with their music. The melancholic sounds and poetic lyrics invite listeners to reflect on the existential aspects of life.
The new album not only explores the duality of longing and fulfilment, vulnerability and resilience, but also poses questions about the meaning of life and human connection, while simultaneously challenging societal norms. Their music serves as a medium through which listeners can mirror their own emotions and experiences.
“Indulgence” is not just a musical experience but also a philosophical journey that encourages the listener to contemplate the complexity of human existence. It is a work that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally touching, making it a must for anyone who wishes to explore the depths of human experience.
“Indulgence (Album)”
The opener “Silhouette” is quite something, taking us on the emotional journey of a broken relationship marked by loss and longing. It contrasts the past, where presence was enough, with the present, where this connection has been lost. The chorus highlights the willingness to make sacrifices while recognising the limits of what can be done to save a relationship. “Silhouette” expresses a deep sense of helplessness and the desire for clarity and the restoration of the lost connection, all set to passionate indie rock.
With “You Just Want Somebody To Hold You,” the music becomes a bit gentler. It addresses loneliness and the need for human closeness. The song describes inner turmoil and the longing for love, often suppressed by societal pressure and stigma. The lyrics show how people hide their true feelings to avoid judgement. Great outro!
Song number three, one of my favourites, is called
“Smooth Skin” and
critically examines youth, beauty, and societal pressure. It deals with the loss of youth, the challenges of growing up, and the importance of listening to parental advice. It emphasises finding one’s own path instead of being swept along by societal expectations.
The message is that outer beauty is fleeting, and true values lie in experience and wisdom.“I Want To Find Sanctuary,” a rocking dark-wave song, conveys a strong sense of loss and the desire to return to a simpler and safer life.
“Pick me up” describes an emotional journey through loss, longing, and the hope for a new beginning, reflecting on past mistakes and scars in a relationship. There is a strong sense of isolation and the search for a lost part of oneself. Despite the challenges and repeated mistakes, the hope for a second chance remains. The message is a blend of melancholy and hope, capturing the complexity of human relationships and the longing for reconciliation.
The fragility of life and the temptations one must resist are the themes of “Abstinence”. The song conveys a mix of caution, gratitude, and the desire to protect oneself from further harm.
A great post-punk/indie-rock sound, reminiscent of The Smiths, can be heard in “Talk”, which highlights the longing for deep, meaningful conversations and the frustration with superficial communication. It explores the distance between people who are physically close yet emotionally far apart. True communication requires courage and the importance of taking time to truly listen and share.
“Teddy” teaches us that sometimes we need to take a step back to see things clearly and that even the biggest worries can seem small when viewed from the right distance.
“Running” conveys inner turmoil and anxiety, amplified by isolation and loneliness, and the need for human closeness to overcome these inner fears.
The discrepancy between expectations and reality and the pressure to achieve perfect results are the themes of “A Vision Of A Life”, the final track, which shows us that we need to let go of unrealistic expectations and accept that not everything in life can be measured or perfect.
The musical content can be summarised as follows: The album presents a successful blend of indie rock, post-punk, and dark wave. The tempos vary, creating a diverse soundscape where even gentle tones find their place. On their album “Indulgence,” The Search combine musical elements from The Smiths, Crowded House, Big Country, and The Alarm into a harmonious whole. There are no weak points to be found; rather, one highlight follows another.
Q&A
How did The Search come into being and why did you do a reformation of the band in 2022?
I (Raz) was lucky to find people with similar taste in music way back, and we went under the name The Silverslut for a couple years. Since then, members have come and gone but the current line-up has been pretty solid for about four years. Between 2017 and 2020 I was the only member, but since then The Search has gone back to being a team effort, and it’s been great making music and playing live shows as a group. It’s very rewarding.
What are the musical influences and inspirations that shape your sound and identity as a band?
As individual members, our tastes in music vary greatly, naturally. There’s 80’s cheesy music preferences (me), punk rock (Måns, bass player), Pink Floyd and prog rock (Johann, drummer), as well as some Magazine and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard (Stephen, guitarist). I think that shines through and makes for a dynamic sound on the album.
What would be a brief description of your new album 'Indulgence' for our readers?
You like indie rock that’s all about melody and a touch of melancholy? Perhaps a couple tracks to sing along to? Phat rhymez? We got you covered.
The album sounds extremely varied, is that one of the positive effects of working as a band as opposed to working as a solo project?
Yes, most definitely! Guitarist and keyboardist Stephen Burt did the mixing, and he did a fantastic job. I agree, it’s quite dynamic and varied.
How do you approach the creative process as a band, do you have fixed roles or do you experiment and improvise until you find something amazing?
I would say it is quite fixed. I present demos of the songs, and then we rehearse them. Each member puts their own flavor on the songs. But the chord progression, lyrics and song melody is usually ready before we arrange the songs together. Sometimes we keep the arrangement suggestion from the demo.
The whole album sounds amazing, but what is your personal favourite track on the album?
Thank you! Probably one of the quieter songs. Maybe Smooth skin or A vision of a life. Hm…. I want to find sanctuary is a cool one, though. Power chords!
Which song was the most difficult to get right?
The track Talk felt impossible to arrange as a band for a long time. The chorus for You just want somebody to hold you took many years to find suitable verses for.
Are you planning to perform the album live anytime soon, and if so, where can your fans catch your shows?
Next gig will be in Stockholm and we will do some shows here in Sweden the following months. At our last show we played Pick me up and Running. We always screw up Teddy somehow.
How do you manage your time and energy as an indie artist, and what are some of the challenges you face?
We all have day jobs and try to find time to get together and make music.
What are the next steps for The Search, and what are your goals as a band in the next months?
We will be playing some shows and hope that people like the new album :)
Credit: Press pictures by Elizabeth Topalian
