Hi-Stone Social – Sometimes (Single Review)

Hi-Stone Social is back with a brand-new single, “Sometimes.” The group has been busy this past year, releasing one single after another. These are all original songs written by frontman Don Kushon. Some of these tracks take on a more driven rock sound, while others align more with the blues, folk rock, and pop genres. But one thing remains consistent with all these tracks: they are all delivered with an energized rock revival feel. For “Sometimes,” the retro vibes from the band flesh out the track, transforming what normally might be just a folk song into something truly vintage.

The western vibes on “Sometimes” gave me chills. I was reminded of the group Kings of Leon and even of Johnny Cash. The harmonica solo toward the beginning sets things off as jangly guitar licks rock this song out. Kushon’s emotion-tinged vocals sing about missed chances and life just passing him by.

“Sometimes I see the world as one big maze/Sometimes I won’t say what’s on my mind/Sometimes I look for words I cannot find.” From the lyrics, it looks like the protagonist is feeling a little lost. The world can be a big place sometimes, and for those navigating themselves through life’s twists and turns, it can be daunting.

I especially feel this when Kuston belts out the lyrics: “Sometimes I see a chance passing by/Sometimes I hear a war I can’t deny/Sometimes it seems this world will end/Sometimes I break apart before I bend.” Gradually, the lyrics take on a romantic slant as Kushon vocalizes: “I know you for a long time/See you in me, and I hear your lies/Say it’s truth/I don’t know/Say it’s love and I watch it grow/Please tell me so/Yeah, tell me so/Please tell me so…”

The chorus, which repeats “sometimes” over and over again, is very catchy. I kept an ear out for it, and sure enough, it would return in between the main verses.

I felt the emotional range of this song was strong. Kushon sings with emotion throughout this track. It is his strong vocal abilities that tie this song together. Through his vocals and the strong storytelling, I immediately felt the dismal outlook of this song, which is later revealed to be rooted in heartbreak.

The song ends with these final lyrics: “Sometimes I close the book before I turn the page/Sometimes I’m paralyzed inside a paper cage/Sometimes I see the soul that lies behind your eyes/Sometimes it hurts too much to say goodbye/Sometimes…” Here, Kushon aptly says goodbye to a love that seemed to end before it even got started.

Hi-Stone Social knocks it out of the ballpark with this powerful, emotionally charged folk song. I could directly hear the band’s Appalachian roots in this song, which maintained a southern country vibe throughout. Though the lyrics were a little on the heavy side, this didn’t seem to bog down the overall sound. The musicians play their hearts out in this song that depicts a man who is a little down on his luck. Though his romantic entanglement is all over, he sees a light at the end of the tunnel and runs toward it.

SCORE/Good: Once again, Hi-Stone Social delivers. Though a little depressing at times, the highlight is the chorus, which adds a catchy edge to the overall vibes. Another bonus was Kushon’s emotive vocals, which narrate a man’s descent and his journey navigating life’s maze with charm and finesse. Other noteworthy aspects of the single include the energy coming from the guitars and harmonica. All in all, Hi-Stone Social’s sauntering track is a slow burn that will surely grow on you.

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