Rock Hill, South Carolina artist Chris Buxton has shared a refreshing 2-song EP titled GOOD THINGS DON'T LAST. A multi-talented artist with a knack for to crafting singles that blend alt-pop and indie-alternative with hip-hop undertones, the 25-year-old Buxton has spent many years behind the scenes as a songwriter, working with acts such as Skizzy Mars, Arizona Zervas, and others. Now, he is back with a new release that is nostalgic sonically and carries a wide-range of rock melodies with heavy touches of pop. This project contains relatable, vulnerable subject matter, paired with infectious choruses that will make you reminisce about your adolescent years. It is raw and direct, finding Buxton’s combination of brevity and intentions of grandeur on full display.
The EP opens with the Natalie Carr-assisted "HEAT OF THE NIGHT", which introduces a breezy, bittersweet sound through its usage of reminiscent, warm guitars and wistful backing vocals. Buxton enters confidently, weaving infectious melodies atop brisk drums, giving the song a sense of urgency and a lively pace. A dynamic track, Buxton and Carr's songwriting choices reflect an awareness of both maximalism and subtlety through powerful, sweeping sections and more low-key arrangements featuring muted guitars or standalone bass riffs. "LMKWYD" follows next, providing a vital offering with its electrifying vocals and energizing, driving bass and drums. Here, Buxton touches on an internal battle he's having about whether he needs to let go of someone, or swallow his pride and be the man she needs him to be. A relatable song hinged around a situation many of us have been in, "LMKWYD" conveys a sense of uncertainty and longing through mercurial guitars and bittersweet, emotive melodies.
The latest from South Carolina's Buxton, GOOD THINGS DON'T LAST blends genres in a refreshing manner, providing nostalgic soundscapes that bristle with energy. These two tracks simply breeze by, as the songwriting is acutely focused, and the grooves are exciting and engaging. Hopefully these songs foreshadow a longer release from the artist, as these two tracks make for a relatable, concise listen that has us wanting more.
