Fencer are back with their new single “Sanitarium”, a heartfelt sample of what the band has been working on over the past year, making it worth the wait for their fans and showcasing the early stages of their new era. The band’s motto, “everything must sound blue,” offers a strong foundation here - even at face value, the vibe of this song is the embodiment of a crystal clear day without a cloud in the sky.

The opening verse perfectly describes what life has been like for the last three years: “Where do you go / When you can’t take it anymore? / Days feel so slow / But somehow the weeks are passing by.” Being stuck in a state of limbo while the world gets put on an indefinite pause is enough to drive someone to the edge of a cabin fever-induced insanity. Previously there were meetups with friends, shows, in-person dates, and then, during the peak of the pandemic, everything had to be handled online, effectively cutting everyone off from one another. The solution? Build a sanitarium up in the sky away from everything and everyone else.

The chorus and second verse feel like a string of notes left for a lover, detailing little thoughts and plans throughout the day with lines like, “You’re helping me grow / And you’re making me me” and “Lock ourselves away / It’s just you me and my cat / We’ll sit and share our brains for a while.” It gives the listener a picture of what Field Cate went through during the height of the pandemic - feeling lost and unsure about the future and finding hope, safety, and security in someone else, even if that isn’t the healthiest thing to do.

All in all, “Sanitarium” is one of those songs that belongs on a playlist for taking a much-needed road trip when it’s perfectly sunny and 65 degrees. Fencer fans who have been eager for this new era are sure to be in for a treat with what else they have in store.

7/10