Couch’s newest single, “Saturday,” is a delightfully upbeat anthem for anyone who has ever felt burnt out by the constant demand for productivity in the modern age.
On November 25, Boston-based septet Couch released “Saturday,” a timely and much-needed reminder to prioritize self-care in a world that constantly asks so much of individuals. Couch has been touring since July, with the tour itself split into three phases for the releases of new songs. “Saturday” is the latest and final single. These new releases are markers of Couch’s first in-person collaborative songwriting and recording sessions, which have resulted in renewed enthusiasm for the group and their new era of music production.
Couch’s history resembles a successful long-distance relationship. The seven members came together in 2018 (on a couch where head injury healing occurred). However, due to school, life, and the pandemic, they spent most of their existence operating as a long-distance unit. During this time, they began songwriting and releasing music together, but their full-time in-person reunion in this past year has allowed for the band’s seven-way collaboration to finally shine. Like any healthy relationship, even without the distance, sustaining the band has been a challenge that required all seven members to prioritize and commit to the group, as well as communicate their needs. But now, Couch is seeing their hard work pay off as they fine tune their sound together and in front of an audience.
Drummer Jared Gozinsky said, “Being together in person for the first time has made our relationship stronger than ever — there are so many moving parts, a focus on blending voice and instrument, and our composition has evolved.”
Couch also made an effort to create a unique live experience at their shows, dividing the tour into three phases and releasing a single at each phase’s release party. These shows provided an intimate and engaging experience for audiences, who were the first to hear “Poems,” “Autumn,” and “Saturday” months before their digital releases. The band even handed out souvenir postcards that granted digital access to songs. They also used their concerts as a place to workshop new ideas and gather audience feedback.
Outside of the band, members have begun entering their “adult lives,” either having graduated from college or started their careers in the past few years. Most of them work 9-to-5 jobs with some kind of hybrid or remote flexibility that allows them to tour. Work-life balance can be tricky for anyone. As life gets busy, no one is exempt from feeling that if you aren’t constantly productive, life isn’t meaningful. Guitarist Zach Blankstein said, “There’s a correlation that’s been ingrained in us that go-go-go means good-good-good.”
“Saturday,” the final Couch single of the year, opens with the lines, “Rest can wait / I’ve got a list a million letters long.” The idea that no matter how much you accomplish, there’s always so much more to do is deeply ingrained in our capitalist society. Self-care and relaxation are often sacrificed in exchange for more work to be done. For those who feel like they’re living life by running in a hamster ball and can never catch up, Couch delivers a somber insight in the catchy chorus: “Am I the only one / Yeah I try, I try, I try / Yet the end is not in sight.” It’s also in this chorus that lead singer Tema Siegel’s syrupy vocals shine, accompanied by the song’s bright and funky instrumentalization. Her “am I the only one” question might leave you wanting to sing back “no.”
“Saturday” explores the idea of how people measure their own worth: “Every day goes by / And I find another line below / And I ask myself / Is this what it is to be full-grown.” With every item that gets crossed off a to-do list, so many more things to do remain. People often measure their success by what they have accomplished. This idea is challenged here in the bridge, as mere productivity is presented to be a hurdle to one’s self-growth and development. If you’re always focused on getting things done, you’ll never find the time to live life to the fullest.
Couch’s dedication to their craft is evident in their evolving sound, and their approach to live shows is creating a community. The band’s seven-way collaboration is impressive and has allowed them to create music that resonates with listeners. “Saturday,” is an anthem for anyone who has ever felt burnt out. It’s bright and poppy, a little funky, and definitely a little a cappella flavored at points. The bright horns, powerful vocals, and the lyrics might make you want to shake away the everyday stresses. This song might be the catchy upbeat spark to get you through the rest of the year, or at the very least, a reminder to take a break and take care of yourself.