Intrepid (song)

Last updated
"Intrepid"
Intrepid - Pinegrove.jpg
Single by Pinegrove
from the album Skylight
ReleasedNovember 1, 2017 (2017-11-01)
Recorded2017
Studio Amperland (Kinderhook, New York)
Genre
Length3:30
Label Run for Cover
Songwriter(s) Evan Stephens Hall
Producer(s)
  • Evan Stephens Hall
  • Sam Skinner
Pinegrove singles chronology
"Cadmium"
(2016)
"Intrepid"
(2017)
"Moment"
(2019)

"Intrepid" is a song recorded by American rock band Pinegrove. The song was released on November 1, 2017 through Run for Cover Records, as the lead single from the band's third studio album Skylight (2018). It was written by singer-songwriter Evan Stephens Hall; lyrically, the song examines love and distance in a global context.

Contents

"Intrepid" was widely acclaimed by contemporary music critics. It was their final single on Run for Cover, as the group exited the label the next year. [1]

Background

"Intrepid" is a "careful" meditation on relationships; specifically, it has been interpreted as about the "struggles and personal growth that come with long distance relationships." [2] A press release accompanying the song's debut included a statement from Hall:

One of the things this album explores is the emotional and creative experience of geometric space. "Intrepid", in particular, considers distance and the outer rim of the magnet's pull; how the size of the world can bring our personal relationships into focus. [3]

Timothy Monger at AllMusic characterized the song as "moody and slow-building." [1] It utilizes a soft-loud sonic dynamic; [2] midway through the song, it shifts from a quieter sound to an explosive, shouting chorus. [4] The recording of the song was documented in the band's web series, Command + S, chronicling the making of Skylight. [5]

Reception

"Intrepid" was teased in live concerts prior to its official debut; [5] they shared the song on social media platforms shortly after posting the last portion of their aforementioned Command + S series on November 1, 2017. [6]

"Intrepid" was widely praised. Pitchfork 's Sasha Geffen designated it "Best New Track", calling it a "powerful dose of catharsis." [7] Billboard 's Rob Arcand observed that "the track comes loaded with all the sort of ringing wordplay and unfettered enthusiasm that made their breakout Cardinal so memorable." [4] Lars Gotrich at NPR extolled its "all-or-nothing performance, exploded just as far your eye can see the universe." [3] Spin contributor Arielle Gordon considered it an advancement of their sound, commenting, "The winding, melodic guitar compliments[ sic ] the standard emo chord progressions in a back and forth that keeps the song feeling fresh until its subdued ending." [8]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Marigold's liner notes. [9]

Pinegrove
Additional personnel

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References

  1. 1 2 Monger, Timothy. "Skylight – Pinegrove". AllMusic . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Kaye, Ben (November 2, 2017). "Pinegrove share new single, "Intrepid": Stream". Consequence of Sound . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Gotrich, Lars (November 2, 2017). "Pinegrove's 'Intrepid' Explodes Just As Far As You Can See The Universe". NPR . Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Arcand, Rob (November 2, 2017). "Stream Pinegrove's New Song 'Intrepid'". Billboard . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  5. 1 2 Helman, Peter (November 1, 2017). "Pinegrove – "Intrepid"". Stereogum . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  6. Gelfand, Zac (November 2, 2017). "Pinegrove's 'Intrepid' Is A Promising Preview Of Their Highly-Anticipated New Album". Uproxx . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  7. Geffen, Sasha (November 2, 2017). ""Intrepid" by Pinegrove Review". Pitchfork . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  8. Gordon, Arielle (November 2, 2017). "Review: Pinegrove – "Intrepid"". Spin . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  9. Marigold (liner notes). Pinegrove. US: Rough Trade. 2020. RT0082CD.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)