Synth Single Review: “The Last Time’’ by Color Theory

Color Theory's The Last Time explores time’s fleeting nature and the need to live in each moment. The song starts with hugely reverberating bass that bounces off densely packed synth which stutters in sharp-edged emotion. Color Theory's distinctive and emotionally engaging voice carries the broken melody as the metallic drumbeat echoes with the rebounding synth.

Color Theory's voice catches the bittersweet quality of the lyrics while the chorus carries a melody that is tender in contrast to the gigantic, hard-hitting drums and dense bass. The harmonies are intriguing and draw me in as the vocals capture the song’s mingled feelings.

The softly hissing hi-hat moves with the floating synth as Color Theory pulls me in with his performance. The broken, gleaming synth sweeps past in intertwining motion as the intermingled vocals flow out. Now the drums drive with Color Theory's chanting voice as the tempo increases.

Gigantic bass rumbles as the huge synth vibrates and the vocals carry out the song’s strong message. The chorus swells again, spreading warmth and complex feelings, as the low end continues to rebound and silence falls.

Our storyteller muses that there have to be a million things he won't do again like "sleeping beneath the stars, holding my father's hand." He adds that "when our lives are enchanted, we take it for granted, sipping on borrowed wine." He points out that we direct our attention the wrong way without mentioning that it could be the last time.

As our narrator asks himself what he'd do differently and if he'd start weeping uncontrollably, he reminds himself that "this could be my last time and I wouldn't even know." He adds with pain that "it wasn't so long ago, I kissed my son good night, then one night I let him be, figured he'd be all right."

The storyteller points out that "we're all dying in pieces and deepening creases" as we’re imprisoned by our minds. He reminds us that we can't afford recklessness with such a precious thing because it could be the last time. He says that "it may sound a bit morbid, tasteless or sordid" to dwell on harsh facts, but "these moments define you and serve to remind you" that it could be the last thing you do and you won't get the day back.

One single line lingers at the end of the song: "This could be my last song and I wouldn't even know."