new single “baby baby” marks a re-entrance to the music scene for sports
By Jillian Cote
After being on hiatus for the past two years, American psychedelic-pop duo Sports has finally emerged from the shadows this year, first in May with their single “Tell You Something” and a message saying “We miss giving the world new songs.” Five months later, the trance-like single “Baby Baby” was released, making their entrance back into the music world official. The song presents itself as a woozy ballad, encompassing feelings of codependency and frustration through its lyrics. With a heavily flanged guitar tone and reverb, “Baby Baby” shows that Sports has not lost their sound but leaves speculation on whether or not their upcoming two-part album will show artistic growth and experimentation.
The single opens up with a hazy atmosphere created by warped horns and synth, a staple of their dream-like production. The soft layering of the vocals add to this tone and introduce the central feelings of being unable to handle sadness in others. In the chorus, vocalist Cale Chronister laments “So tell me that you’ll be alright / And tell me that I’m what you need,” expressing the difficulty of consoling someone when you’re in an emotional state yourself. The repetition of this feeling throughout the song in the verse “I guess I just don’t have the drive” contextualizes the cycle of putting sadness onto the other person in a relationship until neither can take it anymore, a rather melancholy message that pairs up with the calming instrumentals in a unique way.
Ultimately, this single is exactly what is expected of Sports — a psychedelic sound with airy instrumentals and hazy production is their forte as seen in their hits “Whatever You Want” and “You Are The Right One.” However, after a two-year break, many fans expected more experimentation and risk in their projects. So far, their new releases are safe plays — satisfying for lovers of their sound, but lackluster for fans hoping for a new era. With a two-part album on the way, Sports has plenty of room to branch out on future projects to show their range as a duo.