THE FORREST WILLIAMS DEMOCRACY – “The Optimyst” (2023 single)

Forrest Williams, Scott Maybee, and Matt DeMatteo are back with their third single (check out the first two if you missed ’em), and this is the best one yet.  The Democracy play a hard-to-pigeonhole mixture of 90s and classic rock with a dose of progressive, among other elements.  When these elements fuse, the molecules of music produced have been radiant.  With three songs released to date, we can now track a trend:  each song is better than the last, therefore the future is looking bright for The Democracy!

Fellow reviewer Jex Russell noted that “The Optimyst” reminded him of “Solsbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel, and I hear what he’s getting at.  There’s something in that bright rhythm of the guitar part, and the uplifting vocal melody (verses by DeMatteo and choruses by Maybee, if the music video is to go by).  But there’s so much more to this track than just the melodic.  Listen to the drums!  Williams makes creative use of toms and cymbals to form an integral part of the song’s landscape.  The drums don’t distract, but they add a hell of a lot of depth and hookiness.  They carve hills and valleys in the music.

The lyrics are uplifting and the message is universal.  “‘Cause bad times will get better!”  Don’t give up hope!  “You feel hopeless, got to pay the Monday dues.”  That’s pretty accurate!  “I’m all fired up by Wednesday, it’s Friday soon…”  Amen, brothers!  I think most people will be able to relate to this song, and I hope they can feel its sunny vibes, to feel better about whatever is getting them down.

Everyone needs to hear “The Optimyst”, no matter what mood they’re in.  It’s that good and it deserves to be heard far and wide.  Positivity is often in short supply these days, so thank you to The Forrest Williams Democracy for bringing some sun in December.

5/5 stars…

Wait…why not?  6/5 stars!!