Sarantos: “First 5 Seconds” – how can we fall profoundly in love after one quick glance?

The single “First 5 Seconds”, is a fine showcase of Sarantos’ maturation as both musician and a human with heart and soul. Beautiful poetic expression forms the foundation of the collection of Sarantos’ works, and it just continues here. I especially love the instrumental. But more than anything I love the sound and quality of Sarantos’ voice; the expression coming through him, as well as the weight and airy playfulness of his delivery, is well-suited to this alternative folk-pop track. And though I’ve said this on many an occasion already, I will stretch my neck yet out again, and confirm that this is probably the best vocal performance he has done thus far.

Anyone who may demerit this track because it’s “not like his previous music” is a tasteless moron. For one, Sarantos doesn’t have any ‘previous music’ that is similar to anything else. Hence you could say that none of his songs are like ‘his previous music’.

But that’s his defining factor. That’s what he works towards on each and every release – a different sound and a different lyrical theme. And he does this on a regular month to month basis – a mean feat indeed! So yes, “First 5 Seconds”, is “not like his previous music” and best of all it probably won’t be anything like his ‘forthcoming music’ either!

There are many reports about love at first sight. Thus, Carla Bruni said that it was love at first sight between her and the former French President Nicolas Sarkozy. She said that what happened “between Nicolas and me was not quick, it was instant. So for us, the wedding was actually very slow.”

Similarly, a woman said about her lover, “I loved him at first sight. And the very first time in my life I ever felt passionately was the moment I saw him. It was a feeling so loving, so tender, so wild, so overwhelming and breath-taking, and all-involving, a feeling I did not know before.”

Love at first sight is not easy to explain. Some people even deny that it is possible claiming it is merely sexual attraction. Indeed, how can we fall profoundly in love after one quick glance? How can such a glance make us believe that we want to spend the rest of our life in the arms of a stranger we have just seen for the first time? And that’s more less what Sarantos tackles here, but taking it beyond.

“This folk song is about love and how it might or might not change thru the years,” says Sarantos. “I thought this story should reflect how love does not actually change over time. We all remember driving our parents crazy when we were teens. Do you remember the mood swings? One moment we’re wildly infatuated and in love, the next we’re broken-hearted crying a river. Contrast that with a mature older couple who has earned their wrinkles but is still together. By the way, is there anything cooler than an elderly couple out for a romantic walk holding hands?” Watch the video to see the twist Sarantos puts on this theme. “I wanted this video to show love in many forms,” says Sarantos, “but especially how it grows deeper despite the ravages of time on the human body. Who says only young people can be fiercely in love?” 

You can still clearly get an uplifting, upbeat Sarantos vibe from the song, which brings musicianship and melodic depth to a whole new level for the artist. Even Sarantos’ voice shows increased maturity in his control and restraint, making vibrato and pitch changes far more effective.

As far as musicianship, “First 5 Seconds” features’ fantastic use of the bass and excellent keyboard work. The studio quality is utterly impeccable with real-to-life acoustic guitar and electric guitar tones that have a clean crystalline texture. From start to finish, there is a beautiful smoothness that resonates with you.

This track will certainly broaden Sarantos’ usual appeal to an even wider audience, as great music tends to do. Pick this up not only if you’re a Sarantos fan, but if you simply like excellent musicianship and vocals, plus a totally understandable and relatable theme.

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