B-Side Guys

The Smiths on a Bloc Party bender—Dopamine’s own description of “Someone” proves surprisingly accurate. Their third single from an upcoming EP captures the DNA of both influences: Smiths-style emotional vulnerability wrapped in Bloc Party’s urgent rhythmic drive. The band’s DIY approach to recording, mixing, and writing shows in the track’s unpolished authenticity, creating intimacy that bigger-budget productions often sacrifice.

The song builds around the central confession embedded in its title and repeated hook about never expecting to need anyone. This admission carries particular weight coming from a generation raised on independence narratives, making Dopamine’s vulnerability feel both personal and generational. The repetitive phrasing of “never thought i’d need someone” becomes incantation rather than simple chorus, each iteration digging deeper into the discomfort of discovered dependence.

Lyrically, the band constructs a map toward connection through lines about knowing “there’s a trail to get to you” and “there’s a way to get it through.” These directional metaphors suggest navigation through unfamiliar emotional territory, with the speaker simultaneously confident about the journey’s possibility and uncertain about its execution.

The indie rock arrangements support this thematic tension effectively. Guitar work maintains melodic accessibility while rhythm sections provide the kind of propulsive energy that makes introspective lyrics feel urgent rather than wallowing. The production’s rough edges serve the song’s emotional honesty—polished perfection would contradict the raw admission at its center.

What makes “Someone” compelling is its refusal to celebrate or condemn the need for others. Instead, Dopamine presents interdependence as simple fact requiring acknowledgment rather than judgment. The track succeeds as both indie pop accessibility and alternative rock depth, proving that DIY approaches can capture complex emotional states without requiring major-label resources.

For a band writing and producing independently, “Someone” demonstrates impressive understanding of how musical arrangement can amplify lyrical vulnerability without overwhelming it.