Get Lost Inside The Well By Fake Fever

By Phil Hawkins

Nostalgia can be a powerful drug that provides an escape or a moment of comfort in times of need. However, what happens when that wave of the past begins to dissipate and/or fade? The longer that singer/songwriter/producer Andrew Barnes spent in the nostalgic space that had previously defined Fake Fever, the more he felt those same reflective comforts fade over time leaving the harsh reality of the present staring back in an even more ferocious manner.

“When I initially tried to piece together ideas for my 2nd album, I was hitting a wall and slowly realized that I had spent so much time over the last few years trying to recreate this essence of my childhood and my past and existing in this escapist place where I was constantly looking backwards, that I was doing a horrible job of living in the present and trying to progress, both creatively and personally.” Barnes says. “This album encompasses that sometimes-painful process of loosening the grip on the past so that you can free yourself to move forward.”

Inside The Well begins with “Autotoxemia” which is a solid ethereal dreamscape the encapsulates that dreamlike state of nostalgia that is the jumping off point for the album as a whole. Combining elements of dreampop, electronic and even a little light jazz gives the overall scape of the track a very full and lush sound that beautifully reflects the time and effort that Barnes took in crafting even the most minute of intricacies on the album. “Palace Intrigues” follows and puts things in to more of a dance mode as it carries a strong early 90s vibe that could have made it on to a dance mix cassette. The ethereal elements remain in tact with more of the slight jazz in tow as well. “Coral Ring” shifts things back to more of a melancholic tone which fits with the album aesthetic of moving away from the nostalgic and grasping on to the present and moving forward.

“Sozu” musically encompasses what feels like a passage of time as even the rhythm of the track has a bit of a “tick tock” sound of a clock interwoven throughout that adds to that dynamic. “Graveyard Shift” continues to progress the album forward and embraces some more danceable elements without making it sound like an overplayed remix. It is a solid combination of of what the album has presented thus far. “Canvasing” carries a solid groove that gives the track a bit of a more lively flair and works well as somewhat of an interlude to the middle part of the album. “Unknowable” (the album’s latest single) plays heavily back to the dreamy atmosphere heard on the opening track, but with more electronic subtleties than that of the album opener. It manages to keep things light and airy while adding some slight variances of sampling for good measure.

“Pressure Tank” opens with an 80s-esque synth intro that stays in a deeper almost haunting tone that works as a solid contrast against the rest of the album that has played more to the lighter and poppier tones. “Pearl” has a bit of a “mega mix” feel to it as it feels like it has several elements of multiple tracks laced together for the full product. However, that is not the case as it is fully self sufficient with some elements that sound to be from classic video games strewn about. “Healing Pattern” serves as another interlude of sorts as it sets up the album’s culminating track “Sunrose.” “Sunrose” is the perfect bookend as you can follow the musical progression from the beginning to the end of the album. The opener leaned heavily into that nostalgia that is mentioned by Barnes, but the closer finds things in the realization and awareness of the present and taking that leap to continue to press forward.

Inside The Well is an intricately crafted piece of art that fully stimulates the audible senses in various ways. The production is spot on and Barnes doesn’t waste a single second of the musical soundscape that he so intricately created from start to finish.

Inside The Well is available now all major streaming and digital platforms or you can purchase a physical copy via Bandcamp.

Fake Fever has an upcoming date in California in early November, but keep an eye out on their socials for any additional dates as they may be announced.