Though originally written many years ago, 'Swing Time' from the band Second Language recently saw a re-emergence, arriving for the first time on streaming platforms. A fresh mix of the track for 2024 highlights a spark first found on the original, the intricate and unconventional arrangement holding up to modern scrutiny. A seven-and-a-half minute epic, the track flies through multiple phases, the introduction filled with steady layering of electric arpeggios, flying overdriven melodies and bright percussion.
As the vocals enter, they deliver with a certain performative grit that makes them feel just as much narrator as frontperson. Brass chords suddenly fill the sky, the chorus turning up with a bang, and not for the last time. The separation of elements eventually comes together in a glorious flaming ball, the arrangement almost unable to contain itself on its way out of the final climax.
"We wrote 'Swing Time' in 1988 about a romantic relationship gone wrong,” Second Language’s Jessie Jacobson shares. “This version was recorded in 1992 for our album 'WrongSpeak,' which was released in 1996. It was remixed in 2024 in Dolby Atmos by Michael James for a single release. The new remix breathes fresh life into the song, hopefully making it resonate with both longtime fans and new listeners.”
A Los Angeles musical force since 1981, Second Language have seen acclaim across their discography, collaborating with top producers and compelling listeners since their debut. Still holding significant influence in the city's alt-rock scene, their recent releases solidify their legacy for further years to come.
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