TRACK-BY-TRACK: TOMORROW'S FORECAST TAKE US THROUGH 'SPEAKING TERMS'

Speaking Terms is out now!

Image: Phoebe Faye.

Queensland indie quartet, Tomorrow's Forecast recently dropped their sophomore EP, Speaking Terms. To celebrate, vocalist Olive is taking us through the collection of songs track-by-track.

PATHETIC

Pathetic was the first single off our EP, and an introduction to our newest era. Written in 2022, as a music assignment originally, the track encapsulates the raw essence of the overwhelming emotions that follow a breakup. The chorus owns the deprecating mood swings of self-pity, but “don’t be sympathetic”, I know it doesn’t make anything better. The song navigates through the turbulence of sadness, anger, and heartache, constantly building until the final ascent and last breath. The lyrics, “What hurts more? A bruise or a cut? What’s worse than falling in love?”, echo and pass between Bonnie’s vocals and mine, reinforcing the physical agony heartbreak can cause. The powerful lead guitars and driving drums, embody the rollercoaster of emotions, making ‘Pathetic’ our most authentic track.

RIBBONS

Ribbons was released as the second single on the EP. It is an honest look into the punishing process of recovering from a lost love, and the denial that comes with that. Written in 2023, this song has been under our belt for a while, but the time we spent fine tuning in the studio with producer Emily Hopley really brought it to life. Driven by echoing drums, heart-swelling guitars and authentic lyrics, I think this track set the tone for the EP, and allowed us to explore our emotions through songwriting more freely than ever.

TAKE A PICTURE

Take A Picture was written in 2021, making it our oldest song on ‘Speaking Terms’. It has grown with us from adolescence to adulthood. It’s energetic and loose, creating that pop edge that is so tied to the band’s sound. The emotional lyrics are juxtaposed by the chirpy instrumentals, transforming this heartbreak piece into something to dance about. ‘Take A Picture’ is not just another breakup song; it’s something to take the edge off. 

HOLDING ON TO YOU

Holding On To You digs its claws into the emotions that leave you longing for touch and physical connection after a breakup. It’s based on the feeling of being completely emotionally numb, and inviting any kind of validation into your life, despite knowing you’ll end up regretting it later. Written in late 2024, this grunge-inspired track was the last song we penned for the EP. It is reckless in nature, combining subdued vocals with fiery instrumentals to give a really vulnerable look into the emotionally damaging whirlwind of getting over someone. 

POCKET MONEY

Pocket Money is a tongue-in-cheek story of the dating scene, inspired by the sounds of post-punk and Riot Grrrl songs. It tells a true story of expensive drinks, cheap dates and the tiring routine of going out with someone who doesn’t particularly like you. I (Olive) started writing this song with Isaac and Rohan, which is atypical to our usual songwriting process. I think that gives it such a cool instrumental vibe having worked on it with them. The song is full of punchy guitar-work, pounding rhythms and is the first time we’ve entered this gritty territory. It’s definitely a more humorous take on relationships to balance out the emotional turbulence of our other tracks. ‘Pocket Money’ is fun and flirty. We also take a cheeky poke at the cost-of-living crisis there is no way it should be this expensive. Despite all the heartache through Speaking Terms, Pocket money is there to pick you up, and take you out.

WHEN WON’T I DREAM OF YOU

When Won’t I Dream of You captures the emotional reeling that occurs after a breakup, and the anger that comes with it. We completely rewrote this one in the studio so it has transformed from an upbeat indie-rock song, into a super moody alternative track. It is probably our darkest release yet, channeling a completely different kind of energy in comparison to our other tracks. I really tried to weaponise my blunt lyricism for this song, and that alongside the jagged instrumentals really paints a rage-fueled picture of how it feels to get over someone that you once couldn’t picture living without.

Speaking Terms is out now!