Betweenzone – “California” (Radio Edit) / “When It Was Dark”

Betweenzone – “California” (Radio Edit) / “When It’s Dark” – Singles Review

I know exactly what you’re thinking.  This world is way too short of songs that reference “California,” I know, I know – aside from the other MILLIONS of them, there are hardly any aside from this new single from Betweenzone.  Look at it this way, they’re probably only the hundredth band or so to sing about it in 2025 so far…so you know…they’re like, ahead of the game at this point…maybe…but probably not.

The duo of Dave M. Rile and EAST have certainly been busy as of late though, and I definitely commend them for that.  And while yes, I’m only giving them a hard time about having a song called “California,” I will indeed take a fresh one like this over another Red Hot Chili Peppers song using that as their main inspiration again, any time.  Is this my favorite track in the Betweenzone catalog?  No!  Far from it really, but that’s not simply due to the location they’ve chosen to write about.  This track is probably just a little overboard on the Pop-side of sound for my own personal taste by a degree or two, but at the same time, I’d readily acknowledge they’re working within the parameters of fairly single-worthy sound that has true appeal to the majority of folks out there.  I’d also tell ya that it’s the chorus that still likely holds the most of my own interest, and that’s definitely the most Pop aspect of the entire song…so take everything I’m saying with a grain of salt or two.  Essentially the same things that I enjoy are the same parts I’d naturally do the best I can to resist…I guess that’s what I’m saying.  I wouldn’t go as far as to say that the chorus hooks of “California” are kind of akin to taking the easy way out when it comes to songwriting…but at the same time, I’d definitely point out that it’s kind of a given that its catchiness is going to pull people in to listen too.  Nothing wrong with using a recipe that you know is gonna work, right?  Like I tend to remind y’all from time to time, I was born Grunge…so you’ll have to forgive me…when Pop gets to THIS level of glossy, I start to bristle a little bit.  “California” could give ya a freakin’ cavity by being so far on the sweet side of the Pop sound…and generally speaking, I feel like almost anytime that’s the case, you usually end up trading that for a bit of meaning & substance in return.  “California” has its good points to it…played well, sung well…it’s still Betweenzone and these dudes do everything they do well…but there’s also not a doubt that in the recorded version we’ve got here of this single, a couple spins will probably do most people listening.  More than that and it’s gonna be pretty damn easy to burn this one out – BUT…were this to be played live from the stage, I’d still bet on it being a highlight night after night.  Anyhow…it’s all a personal taste thing…if you’ve been looking for a new anthem to sing along to about “California,” then I am happy to inform you Betweenzone has created the song you’ve been waiting for.

While I wouldn’t say there’s much of an argument over which song has more universal appeal to it in these two singles I’ve got here (spoiler alert – it’s “California” by a country mile) – I felt like “When It Was Dark” got me interested more quickly than “California” did right away, and instantly seemed like it would be more artistically substantial overall.  I’ll be honest with ya though…I don’t know that I ended up feeling like I enjoyed “When It Was Dark” more than I did “California” by the time I started writing this review…in fact, I feel like I might have ended up leaning more towards “California” as to which single I liked better.  Doesn’t mean that one’s a better song than the other – that’s always a fickle apples & oranges type of situation anyway…but I felt like I ended up appreciating the easily accessible vibes of “California” a bit more in the end.  I think that the difference is fairly straightforward to me.  “When It Was Dark” has moments where the verses really appeal to me, and I dig what’s happening there.  I don’t think I could get behind the chorus though…it sounds overtly theatrical to me, and it just didn’t have the strength in the hooks that I was looking for.  I don’t mind the call & answer approach they’re using…I suppose what I’m saying is that I like the ‘answer’ part more than the ‘call’ – you know what I mean?  When Dave was singing the actual title out loud at its rapid pace on repeat, I just wasn’t quite feelin’ it.  The rest of the stuff surrounding that…I could live with all that, even if it didn’t seem to snap together as fluidly as what we heard on “California” beforehand.  Sometimes that’s the consequence of reviewing or listening to two singles at the same time…we end up naturally comparing what we hear to each other, despite the aforementioned apples & oranges scenario that it truly is.  Our ears can’t help it, we’re only human.  I really do like the music on “When It Was Dark” and feel like there’s an exceptional level of uniqueness there that works brilliantly, and I loved the way Dave starts that opening verse as well.  The solo and the backing vocals also deserve a shout-out…those were both positive aspects about this track as well – and heck, I’d have even argued for a longer guitar solo in this tune given that it was already flexing a more adventurous & artistic design that goes beyond what you typically find in a single, especially in comparison to the tight & glossy vibes of something like “California.”  So…yeah…I suppose by the end of checking out these two latest cuts from Betweenzone, I didn’t come away feeling like either hit the mark for myself personally in terms of them being ‘complete’ songs so to speak, but each still had good things going for them in their own way as well in individual parts & pieces on display as we listen.  If you’re looking for a more typical single, “California” is there to scratch that itch for ya – and if you’re looking for something with more of an artistic bend to it in like a theatrical/showtune type of way, then I’d say go with “When It Was Dark.”  But if you’re looking for my opinion on which of these songs Betweenzone really sounds like they’re at their best…I’m gonna tell ya it was the last two I’d reviewed previously when I was discussing their last singles “Strong!” and “Cross The Line” towards the middle of November 2024.

How’s that for a critical hot take?  Look…the quality in what they do always remains consistent and their standards are perfectly high in regards to their production & performance…the rest is all a matter of our own personal taste, and what appeals to us as individuals…so if “California” and “When It Was Dark” appeal to you, then turn’em on up I say!

Find out more about Betweenzone from their page at Instagram here:  https://www.instagram.com/betweenzone

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