B-Side Guys

The Fever Haze has always had a knack for wrapping raw, earnest emotions in layers of fuzzed-out guitars and dreamy atmospherics. On their latest single, “(I’ll Always Leave a Part of My Heart in) Colorado,” the Grand Rapids-based band takes that formula to new heights, crafting a song that’s equal parts wistful nostalgia and aching vulnerability.

From the opening lines, it’s clear that this is a song about the bittersweet nature of temporary connections: “Track me down, bag me with one shot / My world always expanding from thin air.” Jackie Kalmink’s vocals are the perfect vehicle for these themes, her delivery simultaneously fragile and assured, like a whispered confession that’s been rehearsed a thousand times in front of the mirror. When she sings “Yes I’m in love, yes I’m in love, sue me,” it’s a moment of pure, unadulterated sincerity that cuts through the haze like a beacon.

Musically, “(I’ll Always Leave a Part of My Heart in) Colorado” is a masterclass in the art of shoegaze and dream pop. The guitars are a swirling, kaleidoscopic maelstrom of sound, drenched in reverb and delay until they become almost tangible, like a physical presence in the room. The rhythm section, anchored by Jim Versluis’ propulsive drumming and Mike Greene’s throbbing basslines, provides a steady pulse that keeps the song from drifting off into the ether. And Seth Beck’s synths and keys add an extra layer of texture and depth, creating a sonic landscape that’s as immersive as it is emotionally resonant.

But what really sets “(I’ll Always Leave a Part of My Heart in) Colorado” apart is the way it captures the fleeting nature of human connection. The lyrics are full of images of transience and impermanence, from the “little piece of your time” to the “speckle of sweetness” that clouds the narrator’s eyes. Even the song’s central metaphor—the idea of leaving a part of your heart in a particular place—suggests a kind of bittersweet detachment, a willingness to give a piece of yourself away even as you move on to the next adventure. It’s a sentiment that feels particularly poignant in our current moment, when so many of us are grappling with the challenges of maintaining meaningful connections in an increasingly fragmented and uncertain world.

Ultimately, “(I’ll Always Leave a Part of My Heart in) Colorado” is a triumph of both songcraft and emotional honesty. It’s a song that dares to wear its heart on its sleeve, to revel in the messy, complicated beauty of human connection, even as it acknowledges the inevitability of loss and change. And in a world that often feels like it’s moving too fast to catch our breath, it’s a reminder to slow down and savor the moments of sweetness and connection that make life worth living—even if they’re just for a little while.