Extra Time – The Boy Who Dreamed Of The Stars
Extra Time’s “The Boy Who Dreamed of the Stars” addresses the difficult issue of child abuse, questioning if it is possible to escape the damage of a truly awful experience. The song begins with rhythmic percussion, which creates a steady beat before the vocals take center stage, taking the listener into a dream pop atmosphere. The mix provides a significant emphasis on the vocals, which are the song’s emotional heart, while the instrumentation is gently lowered in the mix, allowing the message to take the forefront. The lyrical material is valuable and extremely influencing, while the careful production choice emphasizes the importance of the subject matter. As the song progresses to the chorus, the level of emotion increases, bringing on a classic rock sound reminding of Fleetwood Mac’s classic sound. The combination of dream pop and rock components creates an interesting contrast, with the more upbeat, almost anthemic chorus setting a positive tone despite the dark subject matter.
