Panoptics - Revitalize EP

The Milwaukee band, Panoptics, delivers to us some words of affirmation and self reflection in marriage to the infused sounds of jazz, reggae, and funk on their latest EP “Revitalize.” Dropped on July 16th of this year, Revitalize is six songs long and is a clear representation of their appreciation for range in music. Panoptics’ 5 members, Ben Plaisted (vocals + guitar ), David Purpura (drums), Natan Steigman (keyboard), Jacob Johnson (guitar and sax) and Yishay Levin (bass), came together to give calm to the disease of detachment and mental entrapment with songs like “Just Words,” a groovy lounge song that reminds us that the power of influence is real and that no matter the source of that influence that the choice to act and feel is one’s own. Even the singers own words, though optimistic and encouraging, sung with a melodic tone of reassurance, are just words that should only be considered and not so easily adopted; the solidifying of identity and the approach and perspective of life is an independent one; “ Hangin’ on i bet you're feelin’ strong, you're tryna right wrongs but right where you belong- write it down, see yourself inside it- lost in how, until you decided...can't turn away from it now, your turn to say something now cause these are just words, just words im singing….just words im talking….” Following up perfectly is the title track “Revitalize,” precisely the ‘cup of tea’ of this EP.  The listeners are encouraged to take it upon themselves to give life back to their dreams and ambitions and to accept the newness of what has been presented to them, that defeat is only in the mind. The results of this resolve are expressed in the triumphance of “Get Ahead” “...the flames that burned the books of old the ones that kept you from the gold-come see it all come see it now, it's all repeated any how…. to be afraid of the unknown is to turn our back on where the light is shone…” With each song consistent of an instrumental breakdown, whether it's the bass, the saxophone, or the keys that shine, a moment of reflection and absorption is allowed before we are brought back to the present by Plasteid’s vocals, which shoots us forward to the final track “Stuck in Mud,” a super reflective piece that may seem backwards to the progressive context of the EP but is actually symbolic of the hindsight view of the actual purpose of the confusion and pain and speaks on the would be consequences of choosing contentment. Plaisted sings with an empathetic, yet slightly pleading voice, sharing that tone with him are the keys and strings in the instrumentation, to who could be the past version of the listener or his own former self from the perspective of new self, or just a really good friend; “find yourself in the same old space again oh when you never took a chance to see what's round the bend, you try to stay right put but the outside worlds just flying right past, if you're stuck in mud..no one is gonna cross your path…” 

The Art work to Revitalize has many different individual symbols. The earbuds for eyes that are seen on all sides of a skull head may be a direct link to the band's name and their source of inspo; their panned view of music and how this allows for them to have a vast view for the people and their shared trials and triumphs. The skull head also appears to be taking a smoke break, catching a light from a friend; symbolic of taking time from chaos even just for a few minutes, although listening to Panoptics alone is a healthier method, the illustration speaks volumes. Tell me what you think of “Revitalize,” Milwaukee.

/Naomi-Re’a for CW