Renegade | 3BOPS

1. Big Red Machine, “Renegade”

Ft. Taylor Swift

💿 How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? • 🏷 Jagjaguwar • 📅 2021

“Are you really gonna talk about timing in times like these?” Now that’s a compelling lyric for sure. Let’s address the obvious question. Who is 🎙 Big Red Machine?  While the name may not be familiar to everyone, the musicians should be.  Big Red Machine features 🎙 Justin Vernon of 🎙 Bon Iver, and Aaron Dessner, of 🎙 The National.  The alternative duo returns with their second studio album, 💿 How Long Do You Think It’s Gonna Last? securing a feature with the surefire musical force, 🎙 Taylor Swift, on single, 🎵 “Renegade”.

“I tapped on your window on your darkest night / The shape of you was jagged and weak.” Swift, vocally, does the ‘heavy-lifting’ on “Renegade.” She performs both verses and the bridge.  Vernon joins her on the chorus and portions of the outro.  The biggest selling point of the record is the songwriting (Swift and Dessner), which depicts a man, who’s in a relationship, struggling with his mental health.  His lover, naturally, goes through the emotional trials (“Is it insensitive for me to say, ‘Get your shit together so I can love you?’”), but also feels for him and tries to support him (“There was nowhere for me to stay, but I stayed anyway”). Besides theme and lyrics, Taylor sings this singer/songwriter, folk/indie-pop well, supported by Vernon. As for the production, Dessner ‘puts in work’ as always.

2. All Time Low, “Last Young Renegade”

💿 Last Young Renegade • 🏷 Fueled By Ramen • 📅 2017

“Just a couple kids on a summer street / Chasing around to a flicker beat…” Sadly, youth doesn’t last always.  Sigh, we all wish this weren’t the case and that there was legit fountain of youth.  On their 2017 album 💿 Last Young Renegade, emo darlings 🎙 All Time Low realize this.  Last Young Renegade overall finds the band in reflective mode, embracing newfound MATURITY.  Of course, 🎵 “Last Young Renegade” the song is a prime example.

“You were my last young renegade heartache
It only took one night
Caught in the eye of a hurricane, darling
We had to say goodbye.”

“Last Young Renegade” commences the LP more subdued than what we typically associate with All Time Low. The poise of front man 🎙 Alex Gaskarth is surprising.  The record still has energy, but it’s not until the chorus (lyrics excerpted above) that All Time Low packs its signature punch.  Ultimately, the chorus is worth the wait, with its infectiousness. Still, a newfound maturity is written all over the title track and much of the album overall.  “We said forever but forever wouldn’t wait for us.”

3. X Ambassadors, “Renegades”

💿 VHS • 🏷 KIDinaKORNER / Interscope • 📅 2015

“Run away with me (la-la-la…) / Lost souls in the revelry (hey, la-la-la) …” 🎙 X Ambassadors are 🎵 “Renegades,” or so they proclaimed on their 2015 debut album, 💿 VHS. “Renegades” is by far the biggest attractions from VHS – the alternative rock/pop band’s biggest mainstream hit.  So, why, and what exactly makes this record the ‘sugar honey iced tea’ for 🎙 Sam Harris and company?

Basically, “Renegades” is the S.H.Ice.T. 🍵 (😂) because it checks off all pop boxes – as an alternative song, mind you!  It’s those cues baby – they are all in play! “Renegades” grooves, it’s catchy – specifically the chorus – and ultimately, it’s well delivered and executed.  For X Ambassadors, “Renegades” is an example of song that came at the ‘right place, right time.’

“And I say
Hey, hey-hey-hey
Livin’ like we’re renegades
Hey-hey-hey
Hey-hey-hey
Livin’ like we’re renegades
Renegades, renegades.”