It’s hard to believe that the latest tune, “Stay,” from Brooklyn-based rockers Future Generations, was written pre-pandemic. As we move towards the end of June and begin to acknowledge the fact that this summer will be unlike any other, the sentimental song feels like a strangely perfect representation of how the whole world is feeling at this very moment.
“All of the songs we’re releasing this year are my favorite we’ve released so far, but this one in particular just holds a special spot in my heart,” says frontman Eddie Gore. “It was one of the last songs we wrote in our old apartment last year, so there’s definitely a bit of sentimentality associated with it for us.”
Driven by a whimsical guitar riff, thick synth bass and airtight drums, the song explodes with a sense of nostalgia and affection. What makes it even more impressive is that it was produced by Gore himself in his home studio (with the help of band members Devon Sheridan and Dylan Wells), which he takes special pride in.
“This is the first song we’ve released where I mixed live drums. Every other time we’ve had a song with live drums someone else has mixed it, but after our last album — which was done in a studio with a producer and all the bells and whistles — I thought, ‘I can do this,'” he says. “I think that’s why I love this song a lot, ’cause when I hear it I’m just like, ‘Hey, I did it!'”
The entire song was actually sparked by the guitar hook in the chorus which Gore describes as, “odd, but so catchy.” And he’s pretty much hit the nail on the head with that description — there is something about it that feels so familiar and cyclical, yet so strange and off-kilter. The result is a song that gives listeners a sense of comfort while also exhibiting the band’s first successful stab at psychedelia.
Of course, things have changed quite a bit since the making of this song as lockdown has created strange situations for most artists. For Gore, quarantine has been a mixed bag. “Sometimes I’m so productive and other times I blink and three days have passed and I’m like ‘what day is it?’ I’ve been writing music and working on visuals and have definitely watched my fair share of TV. I think I’m learning a lot about myself and my needs as a person,” he says. Like most of us, “I’m working, but also trying to stay sane.”
Tour is on hold for the foreseeable future, but that doesn’t mean the pop-rockers aren’t planning on releasing more music. “We’re just going to keep chugging away and making the best of the situation. We’ve got a few more songs we plan on releasing this year, and we also plan on releasing music videos for each of those songs, including ‘Stay.'”
Previously, the group released “Down and Out,” a cool, slick track about flimsy mental health and a yearning for something more. As the year continues, the band looks forward to writing and producing more music. “We’re enjoying just putting these singles out one at a time and kind of showcasing our range as songwriters and musicians,” Gore says.
Check out “Stay” below.