Quiz Show – China Glaze
With a genuine rock feel influenced by bands like Oasis and Girls Against Boys, Quiz Show’s “China Glaze” is a moving and musically diverse song that explores memory and loss. The song’s opening guitar riff establishes a carefree mood and gets progressively more intense as the singer’s words blend in. The vocal style of the song has a nostalgic yet contemporary vibe, bringing to mind Britpop with undertones of pop punk from the 1990s. The raw drum sounds in the production lend a lo-fi element that further accentuates the band’s DIY character while maintaining a cool, real mood reminiscent of a garage band jam session. Around the 2:16 mark, the track takes an intriguing turn as it slows down, with a focus on bass and drums while the guitars shift into a psychedelic rock tone. The singer adopts a garage rock-style delivery, adding layers of depth and texture to the musical landscape. “China Glaze” is undeniably guitar-driven, showcasing the band’s proficiency and passion for rock music. The lyrics, filled with poetic imagery and introspective themes, touch on feelings of displacement and brokenness in the wake of loss. The recognizable hook that underlines the song’s emotional journey is the chorus, which repeats the appealing line “I want some, any time and any place.” The line “I feel like flotsam, and I’m broken like china glaze” perfectly captures the track’s overall theme of fragility and vulnerability. “China Glaze” by Quiz Show is a remarkable example of real rock music performed by artists who truly have soul. It’s a thrilling listening experience that strikes heart on both a musical and emotional level thanks to the combination of gritty garage rock aesthetics, reflective lyrics, and nostalgic Britpop influences.
Photo Credit: photo by Ray Ketchem
