SINGLE REVIEW: Rivages - Just I Wanna Say

‘Just I Wanna Say’ isn’t content with sticking to one mood—it twists and shifts, constantly keeping you guessing. The opening is haunting, drenched in unease, as the guitars drift through like distant echoes, setting a sombre tone that feels heavy with meaning. The vocals are delicate yet laced with nervous energy, quivering slightly, adding to the unsettling atmosphere. For a moment, it feels like it’s going to stay in that space, comfortable in its gothic weight.

Then, the whole thing explodes into something completely different. The gothic haze lifts, replaced by angular guitars and punchy, indie-rock momentum. The quivering vocals remain, but instead of feeling fragile, they take on a new edge—still full of emotion, but now paired with something brighter, sharper, and full of urgency. It’s a transformation that shouldn’t work so seamlessly, but somehow, it does, making the track feel like a journey through different emotional states rather than just a straightforward song.

The contrast is what makes it so gripping. One moment, it’s sombre and introspective; the next, it’s bold and almost euphoric. But even in its biggest moments, there’s still an underlying tension that keeps it from feeling too light. The jagged guitars and steady, purposeful drums keep everything tightly wound, never letting it slip too far into comfort. It’s a song that lives in contrast—uneasy but bold, gothic but uplifting, grand yet deeply personal. A track that doesn’t settle, and that’s exactly why it works.