By Justin Hurst-Kehus, Rock At Night Detroit
Review: Van Go Go’s single “Get Up To You” – Release date September 2, 2022
Did you suspect that you would find a new favorite 80’s song in 2022? I didn’t, but here we are with Van Go Go’s “Get Up To You.” Full of 80’s tones and upbeat optimism this song feels like our color soaked 80’s nostalgic optimism has been dragged into 2022 , and made into song.
Van Go Go are a four piece out of Detroit, I would argue one of the greatest cities in music. They’ve got an 80’s throwback sound they liken to the era of John Hughes films. I’ve always enjoyed bands that are pursuing a very specific sound, and Van Go Go is certainly no disappointment. They continue their strong pop songwriting with “Get Up To You.”
This song is chock full of earworm potential with its optimistic and catchy lyrics, especially the second half of the chorus “It’s been a tall tall tall tall / Mountain I’ve been climbing / To get up to you.” The guitar has a triumphant quality about it, with plenty of catchy hooks played in a guitar tone that reminds me a bit of Flock of Seagulls, and leaves room in the mix for the passionate, low vocals. The synths are perfectly 80’s, and I really enjoy the way the bass subtly drives the song, but my favorite part of this song is the overblown and super upbeat drums that I’ve always found to be a key to good 80’s style music (think Phil Collins’s “In The Air Tonight”).
The production on this song is incredibly clean and driven to deliver that 80’s sound. Produced at Pearl Sound Studios, this song feels incredibly full. There are a lot of small touches that elevate the song like the subtle harmony vocals and it all leads to music that I can truly envision. I personally imagine a giant montage of 80’s romantic comedies, obviously all with happy endings.
“Get Up To You” feels like such a perfect end of summer song with its optimistic themes, and upbeat, nostalgic approach. It’s an earworm I would strongly recommend to anyone with a love of 80’s music, as well anyone who enjoys pop forward rock.
Van Go Go is Nathan Mackinder (vocals), Jason Schaller (guitar), Paxton Olney (bass) and Jonah Brockman (drums).
“Get Up to You” was produced by Super-Producer/Engineer Chuck Alkazian(Pop Evil, Soundgarden, Tantric) at legendary Pearl Sound Studios (Asking Alexandria, Eminem, Filter).
SPOTIFY
Rock At Night’s interview with Van Go Go – 2021
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