Water Street finds quiet power on “Passenger Side”
Water Street’s Passenger Side arrives like a long drive taken just after dusk, when the road stretches out and your thoughts finally catch up to you. The New Jersey–based six piece has always had a gift for infusing emotion, but here they lean into that strength with a song that at the end, sincerely makes you feel good. It’s a reflective release that doesn’t rush to make its point, but in the process manages to uplift and really shine in all its facets.
Rooted in the hills of New Jersey, the band so clearly draws from a wide array of influences, and that genre-blending sound is on full display. Elements of alternative folk sit comfortably beside glimmers soul and indie Americana, all woven together with a slight pop rock sensibility that keeps the song accessible to essentially anyone. The arrangement unfolds organically, led by a strong acoustic guitar that sets the emotional, while some punchy bass lines add warmth and momentum too.
Atmospheric electric guitar lines drift in and out, and for us, gave the song a ton of edge and atmosphere. There’s a serious lushness to the sound that never feels like it’s doing too much. Every layer serves the song’s emotional arc and without a doubt, every member of the band has brought their best to the track.
At the center of it all is the vocal performance, which carries an almost angelic quality. It’s soulful without being showy and undeniably powerful without getting into the higher ranges. Paired with thoughtful lyricism, the delivery gives the song a sense of authenticity that’s hard to fake. This is music that feels honest, written from a place of genuine reflection. If anything, we urge you to listen a few times just to make sense of everything that you’re experiencing!
There’s also something quietly nostalgic about Passenger Side, though it never feels retro for nostalgia’s sake. Obviously released in 2026, there’s such a timeless feeling from start to finish. The song lingers after it ends and by the end of our first listen, we were subconsciously humming along. It’s not your overt catchy pop track, but we’d be lying if we said it hasn’t been stuck in our heads.
At the end of it all, it’s a feel-good listen with tons of depth, strong songwriting, and a sense of calm confidence. Water Street has given us one of their most quietly affecting moments yet and we’re already patiently waiting for more. Go ahead and click those links below to listen in, follow along, and of course to stay tuned for the latest.
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