Against The Current’s Drops “Silent Stranger” From Their New Era, “Nightmares and Daydreams”

Photo via DORK Magazine

Against The Current unveils their new dangerous single and music video for their track, “Silent Stranger.”

New York alternative rock and pop based trio band Against The Current (ATC) enters their new hard hitting era titled, “Nightmares and Daydreams”. The band is back and stronger than ever before and filled with heavy and intense energy that is ready to break down the walls and shatter glass. They recently dropped a single and music video for their song, “Silent Stranger”,  that features mind twisting elements that showcase their fueling passion and blood riled power that is longing to be heard through the airwaves. 

The band’s journey started back in 2011 with members Chrissy Costanza (vocalist), Dan Gow (guitarist), and Will Ferri (drums) performing covers and uploading them on Youtube where they amassed millions of views and a dedicated fanbase along the way. ATC released their first EP Infinity in 2014 soon accompanied by their Gravity EP in 2015. The instant success of their original songs and their rising popularity on Youtube led to their massive breakthrough that they signed with Fueled by Ramen Records releasing their debut album In Our Bones in 2016, followed by their sophomore record Past Lives in 2018.  

The darker era of Against The Current’s sound has been slowly creeping up as of lately beginning with latest EP Fever released back in 2022 where the band explored different sounds retracing back to their rock roots with an even sharper and edgier cut. 

Being a newly independent band free from the restraints of a cookie cutter alt pop/rock band, Against The Current has unleashed their inner beast and are proving themselves into becoming known for their rowdy spirit. 

Photo via Against The Current

Vocalist Chrissy Costanza explains the nature and ideology behind the song as being a therapeutic release expressing the dark hidden realities of balancing being someone you’re not and trying to overcome an unsettling battle.

This is a beautifully dark track [that] explores the duality between nightmares and daydreams, Silent Stranger marks the arrival of the Nightmares era, where lines can easily become blurred or swept away entirely. 

Chrissy Costanza on “Silent Stranger”

“Silent Stranger” goes deep into the darkest depths of one’s innermost demons visualizing the overwhelming emotions up into the brink of “embarking on a spiral of panic, what’s real and what’s forced can no longer be distinguished from one another; imposter syndrome pushed to the point of no return.” The track is one of Against The Current’s most transparent and rawest songs to date. It is the purest form of expression that derails all of what you thought you once knew and tears it out into different proportions. 

The track instantly begins with a haunting melody that is instantly striked through powerful drums and guitar that drowns you into the unknown. 

The catchy yet somber chorus,Fill my head with noises, drain me of this poison, ’cause I’m not who you think I’ve been frozen. I’m someone I don’t know and cycle’s never broken and I’ll die a silent stranger” feeds into the racing and unnerving thoughts that keeps one from being truly authentic and slowly morphing into a ghost of someone you used to be.

Throughout the song, Against The Current holds a powerful grip fueled by raging guitars and pushy drums that is wrapped by the dominating vocals of Costanza, enriching the song into a strapping outburst creating the foundations of a rock anthem.

Within the verse, the lyrics openly admit of hostile self doubting and insecure emotions: “Feels like I’m hiding in my skin. I’m such a coward and they all know. I’ll never let them see my face cover my tracks and run away”. The blunt direct truthfulness of stating one’s personal fear provides a disheartening glimpse into a world of chaos and dreariness.

The visuals for “Silent Stranger” reimagines the band in a bleak background dressed in black from head to toe presenting a brooding and intimidating aura.

In the face of inner reflection and confrontation, Costanza stands alone in a black filled void with nothing but her reflection in a mirror signifying a moment of truth as she props the question in the opening lines, “Who are you with the lights out? I don’t feel right when I’m all alone. My human nature makes me a stranger to everyone I know”. 

Within the video, the members stand alone in a shallow shadow box with obscure glass that only presents a dark silhouette figure of their shadow possibly hinting back at the meaning and lyrics behind “Silent Stranger”. The isolation and anxiety that arises from being enclosed in a small space trapped with only their unnerving thoughts and emotions separating them from the rest of society.

Nearing the end of the visual, Costanza smashes the reflection of herself in the mirror signifying a powerful breakthrough of raging emotions and overcoming the restless negative thoughts. 

“Silent Stranger” is the beginning stepping stone of what more is to come from Against The Current’s new fierceful era in reclaiming their sound and image into elevated heights and they are not leaving without a punch to the throat. The dangerous and revamped cycle of the band will push them into different directions offering them the chance to become one of the biggest alt pop/rock bands in the scene. 

Against The Current is currently on their “Nightmares & Daydreams” 2023 world tour promoting their revamped era cycle hitting cities all around the country. Make sure to grab your tickets here and see them in a city near you!

Make sure to stay in touch with Against The Current: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram 

I am a photographer based in Houston, Texas. I'm currently pursuing a BFA degree concentrating in Photography and Digital Media at the University of Houston. Music has always been a big part of my life and I love that I get to intertwine that with photography. I'm consistently listening to all of my favorite bands and discovering new genres and artists. I love all things cosmic, watching films, and reading.