Poems Unleashes a Cinematic Sonic Rush With “NFS” in a Gritty, Explosive, and Unapologetically Powerful Triumph
- STAFF
- Jun 18
- 3 min read
By: Staff
An electrifying, emotionally charged knockout that proves Poems is a master of atmosphere and intensity.
One of our favorite artists of all time, Poems, just dropped another single, and we were right there to jump all over it. Check it out and share it with you.
“NFS” opens with a thunderous, bone-rattling bass note that tears through the silence like a starter pistol. It sets the pace for an adrenaline-fueled sprint into Poems’ latest sonic high. Next, the rhythmic complexity of the drumwork grabs you: precise, relentless, and overflowing with electrifying fills. This pulsating intro doesn’t just wake you up; it jacks up your heart rate and makes your body react instinctively.
What, of course, and also lands instantly is Poems’ unmistakable baritone; silky, deep, and smoother than ever. The softness layered into the vocal delivery floats above the racing rhythm, chasing the beat while staying coolly detached. The contrast between the commanding percussion and the elegant vocals creates a dynamic tension that feels charged with intention.
When the break hits, it's like flooring the gas pedal. Your heart accelerates, barely keeping pace with the cascading rhythm section as the production surges into a full-throttle moment of chaos and clarity. Following that high-impact shift, Poems launches into sweeping vocals that lift the track into an even more intense stratosphere. Then the harmonies roll in, wide, expansive, and euphoric, making it feel like you’ve been strapped into a sonic rollercoaster. Your body rocks instinctively, swaying left to right, not from motion but from being caught in the grip of the rhythm’s wild momentum.
The arrival of the guitar, gritty and raw, adds a fleeting but fierce jolt of energy. It’s a taste of something primal and edgy. It punches in and vanishes too fast, leaving you craving its return. That brevity works, though. It keeps the edge sharp and your attention locked in.
Midway through, the song dips into a brief interlude that shimmers like a lucid dream: airy, floaty, almost too peaceful to be trusted. And that’s when Poems hits you again, hard. The transition back is explosive. It is a full-force eruption that sounds designed to tear the roof off a packed festival crowd. You can already see the hands in the air, people lifted onto shoulders, everyone screaming the lyrics into the summer sky.
The blend of harmony vocals and those dirty, grinding guitars acts as the final stamp on what’s clearly a masterclass in indie alt-rock. It’s all so intentional, yet it never feels over-polished. The performance holds onto its edge. Its imperfections are embraced rather than sanded down, giving the track a lived-in, authentic feel.
Once again, Poems delivers a complete emotional and sonic thrill ride. It is unapologetically loud, relentlessly expressive, and deeply moving. The interplay of punchy drums, snarling guitars, pulsing basslines, and those unforgettable vocals shows off an artist who knows exactly what they’re doing. The engineering captures this chaos with precision. It is crisp, present, and powerful, while still leaving enough texture to keep it raw and real.
We're totally floored. Poems just keeps proving why we’re always going to be die-hard fans.
You’re definitely going to want to check this one out too!
Poems delivers a soaring, high-octane anthem with "NFS," pushing indie alt-rock into exhilarating new territory.
San Diego’s Poems is carving out a distinctive place in the indie alt world. The sound channels an unmistakable blend of UK grit and American soul.
As a solo creative force, Poems draws deeply from the lineage of post-punk revival but reshapes it into something intimate, cinematic, and bracingly honest.
Behind the scenes, an elite production crew helps bring this vision to life. Billy Foster lends his signature touch, sharpened by past work with Wet Leg and Fontaines D.C. Mixer John Catlin, known for Inhaler and Interpol, adds a clean, immersive mix that connects the sound to its influences without mimicking them. John Greeham’s mastering seals it all with a sheen that respects the raw energy pulsing underneath.
With the upcoming EP Half-Life, Poems dives headfirst into themes of identity, mental health, and the chemically complicated path through adolescence. Layered vocal tracks, restrained verses, and haunting mellotron synth textures give the work its edge. It is beautiful, strange, and impossible to ignore.
A live performance planned at The Music Box promises to showcase the full emotional weight and sonic firepower of the EP, alongside new material and fan favorites.
We're so excited to know and can never wait to hear more from Poems!
Make sure to stream, playlist, and share “NFS” by Poems everywhere you listen to music.
