Wednesday September 4, 2024
Mark Cassius, the driving force behind Neo Stereo, delivers with Time Has Gone a track that feels like a throwback to an era when pop music wasn’t just about catchy hooks, but about creating something that resonates on a deeper level.
There’s a simplicity to the two-chord synth intro that recalls the best of post-punk’s minimalist ethos, yet it quickly gives way to a melody that feels crafted, intentional, designed to pull you in and not let go. What makes Time Has Gone stand out isn’t just the hooks, though they’re there in abundance. It’s the way Cassius layers the track, building it piece by piece until it becomes something larger than the sum of its parts.
The verse is catchy enough, but it’s the interlude and pre-chorus where the track really begins to take shape, hinting at something bigger just around the corner. And then the chorus hits, expanding the sound into a widescreen moment that’s as much about the mood as it is about the melody. Cassius taps into something universal here—a feeling of time slipping away, of moments that are both fleeting and precious.
The song captures that sense of urgency without being heavy-handed about it, letting the music do most of the talking. The second verse intensifies what came before, adding layers that give the track a sense of progression rather than mere repetition. By the time the chorus returns, it feels even more powerful, more necessary.
Time Has Gone is a song that’s easy to listen to, but it’s not easy to shake off. It sticks with you, not because it’s bombastic or grandiose, but because it taps into something real, something that resonates long after the music stops. Cassius may be working within the confines of indie pop rock, but with this track, he’s managed to create something that transcends those boundaries, offering a glimpse of what pop music can be when it’s done right.
