A triumph of the heart and the soul, Awksymoron’s colorful indie pop anthem “All Bets Are Off” is an uplifting and hopeful ode to life, friendship, and uncertainty.
for fans of Frankie Cosmos, Clairo, Soccer Mommy
Stream: “All Bets Are Off” – Awksymoron
We try our best and we know that what’s for us will not pass us by…
For all those times that life smacks us in the face, Awksymoron’s latest single is a heartfelt, cheerful reminder that we’re never alone.
And life can be unpredictable; it can be wild, challenging, and cruel, and we will lose our balance more often than we’d like. Yet in the spirit of “when they go low, we go high,” Athena Matsil and her bandmates took moments of personal hardship and pain, and found strength, solace, and plenty of reasons to smile. A triumph of the heart and the soul, Awksymoron’s colorful indie pop anthem “All Bets Are Off” is an uplifting and hopeful ode to life, friendship, and uncertainty.
All bets are off
There’s no mistake you can make
That could ever change
What I know to be true
All bets are off
And you’ve got nothing to prove
You can finally see
What I’m seeing in you
Atwood Magazine is proud to be premiering “All Bets Are Off,” Awksymoron’s first original single in nearly four years’ time – and an exciting return from the Brooklyn-based indie darlings. The brainchild of singer and songwriter Athena Matsil, Awksymoron began as a solo project in 2015-2016, and today sees Matsil joined by bassist Griffin Jennings, guitarist DJ O’Loane, and drummer Phil Joy. “All Bets Are Off” serves as a faithful example of what folks can expect from the band moving forward: Not only is it halfway between the “indie pop” and “indie rock” worlds, but elements of everything from jangle pop to math rock can be heard in this one song alone as Matsil and co. shine a warm light into the cold, callous darkness.
“The song ‘All Bets Are Off’ is an ode to life, enduring friendship, and uncertainty, serving as a reminder to grant ourselves the same grace we often more readily extend to others,” Athena Matsil tells Atwood Magazine. “I first keyed in on the phrase ‘all bets are off‘ during a particularly dark scene in The Sopranos, where Tony Soprano was enraged after discovering he had been betrayed by someone he deeply cared about (no spoilers!). At the time I wrote the song, I was going through a romantic breakup of sorts. Although my situation was quite different from Tony’s, I could relate to the feelings of disappointment in my own judgment and that of my loved one, as well as the uncertainty about what lay ahead.”
“I wanted to write a song that would uplift both my own spirit and that of my friend, who is the subject in some of the lyrics. The line in the final verse, ‘what’s for us will not pass us by,’ was inspired by a comforting quote from another friend. She would tell me, ‘what is for you will not pass you by,’ applying this to various aspects of life, including relationships, friendships, career goals, etc. While the onset of my writing this song was certainly catalyzed by what I was going through at that moment in time, the lyrics are intended to transcend that experience and offer a broader message of reassurance, validation, and unconditional hope. My outlook and approach are pretty different from Tony’s, but I was set on reimagining what ‘all bets are off‘ could mean for me.”
I think of all the times
I try to say what I mean
You make it clear to me it’s not just a dream
And you see me
“All Bets Are Off” is undeniably enchanting, with Matsil’s sweet vocal melody working in tandem with O’Loane’s dreamy lead guitar lines. The two consistently play off one another, with dynamic drum work and expressive bass lines from from Joy and Jennings (respectively) making for an endlessly enthralling listening experience.
“Musically, the song begins with a drum beat that leads into a syncopated melody, centered around the phrase ‘all bets are off.‘ This syncopation is designed to surprise and engage listeners, capturing the essence of the phrase’s unpredictability,” Matsil explains. “As the song progresses it adopts a more traditional form inspired by some of my favorite classic rock bands such as The Beatles, The Zombies, and The Kinks. The players in my band are incredibly talented and some of my closest friends, so it was important to me that the arrangement was a collaborative effort, showcasing each bandmate’s creativity and individual style. The arrangement we crafted together creates a bubbly and dreamy soundscape that, in my opinion, perfectly complements the lyrics and vocal melody.”
I think of all the times
I try to say what I mean
You make it clear to me it’s not just a dream
And you see me
All bets are off
And I’m so thrilled to be here
We try our best and we know that what’s for us
Will not pass us by
We try our best and we know that what’s for us
Will not pass us by
Not only have Awksymoron reintroduced themselves in this new song, but they’ve done so through music that uplifts and inspires.
Nearly ten years after Matsil’s first-ever Awksymoron release, the now full band have returned ready to put a smile on our faces and a pep in our step as they light a fire in our hearts through song. Stream “All Bets Are Off” exclusively on Atwood Magazine, and stay tuned from more to come from the Brooklyn indie band as they release more music from now through the end of the year!
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Stream: “All Bets Are Off” – Awksymoron
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© Jesse Baumes
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