Dust off your Vans and put on your eyeliner — Sleeping With Sirens dropped a new song! Within seconds, “An Ending In Itself” brought me back to my high school days. If I didn’t know any better, you could convince me this new track lived on Let’s Cheers To This. The sound is reminiscent of their older music in the best way possible — with many comments on the music video stating, “we’re so back!”
“An Ending In Itself” is the alt-rock’s band first single in 4 years. Produced by Will Yip (Turnstile, Circa Survive, Movements), it’s also their first release with Rise Records since their 2013 album Feel. The song is described by frontman Kellin Quinn:
“This song is a love letter to anyone in the midst of struggle. I think we live in an age where we’re supposed to pretend like we have it ‘all together all of the time’ so much so that we’re afraid to let anyone in. I think it’s important to have open dialogue and to ask for help when we need it. This song is about being brave enough to admit that we’re not always okay. No matter what you’re going through, there is hope.”
Quinn’s unmistakeable vocals cement the song’s theme with the intro: “It’s hard not to give up when you’ve got everything to lose / You make believe, no eyes can see, but I can see through you / So when it all comes falling down and there’s nothing you can do / Don’t give up, don’t give up, don’t let it bury you.” The music video introduces him in a black and white linoleum room filled with naked trees, where Quinn finds a bright orange door leading to a room with a living tree.
Amongst the trees are glimpses of the entire band performing — lead guitarist Tony Pizzuti, rhythm guitarist Nick Martin, bassist Justin Hills, and drummer Matty Best. Bright guitar tones and punchy drums build the signature Sleeping With Siren’s sound as Quinn belts his heart out throughout the verses and anthemic chorus, asking, “Can we stop pretending / That it’s all so good?” The bridge’s heavy riffs and low beats crescendo into an explosive breakdown as Quinn shouts, “Stop playing pretend!”
Matching the intensity of the breakdown, the music video sees the sole living tree catch on fire, its leaves falling during the final chorus. Quinn’s clean vocals transition back to screams to close out the song, declaring, “There’s a happy ending / It’ll change with time / But for now it’s fine.”
“An Ending In Itself” sees Sleeping With Sirens embracing their roots while ushering forth a brand new era, and I can’t wait to hear this next chapter.
Watch the music video here: