Cadigan - Be Present, Want Nothing

Cadigan

Be Present, Want Nothing
​self-released; 2020

3.7 out of 5

By My Nguyen​​

Cadigan is a band based in San Francisco, CA that formed in March of 2019. The band members have become fast friends ever since moving to the Bay Area. Anthony and Dino (brothers) met Henrik in the local punk scene. The band plays pop punk music in the vein of bands like Green Day, Blink 182 and Jimmy Eat World. The band’s energy on their latest album Be Present, Want Nothing is relentless. Right from the get-go, listeners will feel the band’s synergy as all the sections are synced to each player’s attitude, experience level and pump-ness. You can feel the band taking the pop punk genres to new heights as their high-energy performances prove to be one on-going rush.
 
Be Present, Want Nothing aims for a driven sound with the band right from the get-go opening to a revving start with “Alarm.” The spree of guitars and bass together with a fast-paced beat drums up an energized atmosphere. This was an impressive introduction. A melee of guitars presses on with impassioned delivery on “Bruised.” Anthony’s vocals are adamant as he sings with gusto and flair. The band plays fast and hard. The sounds are anthemic feeding into the punk rock spirit. The band continues the momentum of their pop punk energy with the upbeat “Catch.” The band fully relinquishes a revving vibe that does not abate. The sound is spirited and emphasized by the band’s gusto. The instrumentals veer and add more energized propulsion on “You.” The music is continuously amped but the vocals sound a bit slow burning and melancholic. Even though this is the case, the drama within this track is undeniable. As Anthony sings with full feeling you can’t help but be swept away by the emotions. 
 
Feeling like the ballad out of the bunch, “Claire” had a more slower grooving feel. This felt like another slow burn as the energy on this song simmers in the backdrop. On “Beginnings,” the band does a total 180 with this acoustic number. Anthony’s vocals are alone supported by the guitar. The stripped sounds spotlight the emotional resonance of the track. Next, a full band backing adds a more overall amped sound. The sounds are, indeed, energized, as the band commandeers more of their signature-based sounds here. The band is off to another driven start with “Hooch.” Full-on guitars, bass and drums ambushes this song. The tune is upbeat and jaunty. The vibes will get you moving in no time. Filled with spirited punk rock rhythms, “Sometimes” is fully charged and intercedes as an ignited way to close the album. The band’s energy never wavers and you can feel the group’s persuasive sounds all the way until the end. 
 
Although the band has yet to play a show, they are very excited to do so once the pandemic eases. Their energy will mostly likely translate very well in a live setting. Though the album was recorded in a studio and mixed and mastered by professional engineers the rawness of the ‘live’ factor within the tracks did not get lost. In fact, I thought these elements were enhanced, as you can feel, without a doubt, every charged vocal delivery from Anthony shouted out to great effect with the stamina of the full-blown instrumentals in explosive support behind each anthem. This was a solid effort and I look forward to seeing more from the band.

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