On the Line (San Cisco song)

"On the Line" is a song by Australian indie pop band San Cisco, released on 21 May 2020 as the lead single from their fourth studio album Between You and Me (2020).

"On the Line"
A woman with curly blonde hair and a dress stands next to a man in a white V-neck sweater, with both of their faces obscured
Single by San Cisco
from the album Between You and Me
Written2018–2020[1]
Released21 May 2020
Recorded2018–2020[1]
Genre
Length5:00
LabelIsland City
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
San Cisco singles chronology
"Flaws"
(2020)		 "On the Line"
(2020)		 "Messages"
(2020)
Music video
"On the Line" on YouTube

Background and release

In a press release, lead guitarist Jordi Davieson discussed the song's origins, stating:

"When do you pull the plug? How do you know if the juice is worth the squeeze? Do you pick up the pieces and move onto something new? Or stick it out for another round of romance? The game of love is never an easy one to play. Like many of the songs from our forthcoming record, "On the Line" has been through many different stages. It almost didn't make it on the record. It wasn't until we revisited it at home from a different angle that everything fell into place and it turned into a gem. We all connect deeply with this song and its sentiment and we think others will too."[4]

Composition and lyrics

Musically, "On the Line" has been described as a pop and dream pop song.[2][3] Self-described as a "lament disguised as a pop song",[5] the track discusses "the eternal conundrum of whether a love is worth pursuing"[6] and explores "the fragility of a weak relationship".[3]

Live performances

San Cisco performed the track on Australian live music program The Sound on 28 July 2020.[7][8]

Critical reception

Al Newstead of Triple J described the track as having "that classic San Cisco flair", further noting, "[it has] the contrast of dour lyrics and shiny music that made "Awkward" and "Too Much Time Together" so memorable."[5]

Tyler Jenke of Rolling Stone Australia noted "[it's] one of those songs which hides a far more serious manner than its cheery façade might indicate."[9]

Alex Gallagher of Music Feeds described the track as "warm and jubilant".[6]

Elli Chappelhow of Gigwise thought that San Cisco have "mastered the knack of using earworm tracks and pop hooks to really evoke a mood and feeling", adding that it "[fuses] bright and boppy instrumentals".[3]

Thomas Bleach felt the song was "positive and uplifting" in stark contrast to the lyrical content, and called the guitar riffs "festival ready".[2]

Music video

The music video was directed by Brendan Hutchens and was premiered on Triple J on 21 May 2020, alongside the song's release.[10]

According to Davieson, filming the music video was the first time the band had been together in months.[5] He stated:

"It was such a fun day of filming with a great crew. We were super excited to be able to come out of isolation and join together as a band for the first time in months to shoot this video. We appreciate that at the moment not everyone is as lucky as us here in Western Australia [due to reimposed COVID-19 gathering restrictions], to be able to come together in this way. We really hope that those who can't will be able to reconnect with loved ones safely soon."[5]

Synopsis

The video depicts the band practicing together, reuniting after COVID-19 gathering restrictions eased in Western Australia.[5]

Reception

Al Newstead of Triple J and Alex Gallagher of Music Feeds described the music video as "cute" and "very wholesome", respectively.[5][6] The West Australian's Stephanie McKenna felt the video "marks a welcome departure from the face masks, jigsaws and sourdough bread baking that have become hallmarks of the past months.[11]

Credits and personnel

Adapted from the parent album's liner notes.[12]

San Cisco

  • Jordi Davieson – writer, vocals
  • Josh Biondillo – guitar, keys
  • Scarlett Stevens – drums, vocals

Other musicians

References
  1. Fuamoli, Sose (10 July 2020). "San Cisco announce new album, Between You and Me". Triple J. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  2. Bleach, Thomas (22 May 2020). "Single Review: San Cisco – On The Line". Thomas Bleach. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  3. Chappelhow, Elli (21 May 2020). "San Cisco share pensive new single 'On The Line'". Gigwise. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  4. March, Kim (19 May 2020). "Premiere: San Cisco consider pulling the plug on relationships with 'On the Line'". Flood Magazine. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  5. Al Newstead, Al (21 May 2020). "First Spin: San Cisco reunite after eased restrictions in video for 'On The Line'". Triple J. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  6. Gallagher, Alex (21 May 2020). "San Cisco share buoyant new single 'On the Line'". Music Feeds. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  7. Jenke, Tyler (22 July 2020). "ABC's new music series 'The Sound' returns for Episode Two". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  8. "Mushroom on Facebook: "San Cisco performing their vibrant new pop tune "On the Line" for The Sound, Episode Two."". 28 July 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020 – via Facebook.
  9. Jenke, Tyler (21 May 2020). "San Cisco emerge from lockdown with new single, "On the Line"". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  10. Martin, Josh (21 May 2020). "San Cisco reunite post-isolation in new video for 'On the Line'". NME Australia. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  11. McKenna, Stephanie (21 May 2020). "Fremantle-based San Cisco release new single On the Line with video tribute to social distancing". The West Australian. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  12. Between You and Me (booklet). San Cisco. Island City Records. 2020.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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