Band: The Ormidales
EP: Love Had A Chance
Release Date: July 22, 2023
Genre: Pop
The Vancouver-based duo, The Ormidales, made up of Bill Oliver and Mark Branscombe have recently unveiled their four-song EP, Love Had A Chance.
The band shares,
“Love Had A Chance takes a glance at love from a few angles; the loves of our lives, the unrequited love, the love that inspires us and the love that may break our heart.”
The opening track, “Take My Love With You,” paints a vivid picture of sirens, choppers, and flashing lights, creating a palpable atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. The song delves into themes of longing and sacrifice, with the recurring plea of “take my love with you” symbolizing a profound yearning for a deeper connection amidst life’s trials.
Next, “You Left Me Cryin’” slows it down drastically, featuring a deeper vocal delivery that captures the essence of heartbreak and the confusion that often accompanies the end of a relationship. The song showcases strong lyricism, exemplified by lines like “I drove a thousand miles in my beat-up car to get close to you.” The recurrent use of “Boo Hoo” infuses poignant ironic humor into the song’s emotional depths.
“Let’s Just Pretend” immediately stands out with its compelling storytelling. This emotionally charged track is a captivating exploration of nostalgia and longing for a promising past. The repetition of the plea to “Let’s just pretend” underscores the universal desire to escape into cherished memories, rendering the song relatable and profoundly emotive.
Closing the EP, “I Think We Oughta” adopts a serene and reminiscent tone reminiscent of Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay.” The song transports listeners to a front porch swing, where the narrator and their companion revel in the splendor of nature and the joy of shared moments. Lines like “Dragonflies with dreamy eyes” and “Ladybugs are jiving” evoke a childlike sense of wonder and delight.
Love Had A Chance is an emotionally diverse EP that thoughtfully explores themes of love, longing, reflection, and the celebration of life’s simpler pleasures. While each song has standalone potential, together they form a cohesive collection that lingers in the hearts and minds of its audience, leaving a lasting impact.