Although running on a slinky, snake-like, bluesy-rock groove, this first single from St. Jove has a sonic spine that seems as much a device for hanging other textures and tones as it is the song’s central nervous system. And as it draws southern blues and soul-rock into a very English indie space, it incrementally adds sonic weight and artful intensity.
The result is a reminder that music has crossed the Atlantic many times, evolving, undertaking acts of sonic revolution, merging and melting into homespun sounds, and then returning home older, wiser, different yet the same. I mean, it doesn’t go out of its way to say that; it is an implied idea, but one that any discerning fan will pick up on.
What it does say, though, is increasingly pertinent to the modern age: the idea that modern life means that you are part of a race you didn’t sign up for, where no one has told you the rules, the direction of travel remains unclear, or what the ultimate prize is is anyone’s guess, yet you run anyway, lest you get left behind. Ambition makes you do strange things.
As a debut single, it’s great – bold, slowly groovesome, sassy, and seductive. If you are going to make an opening statement, make people aware of the arrival of some new kids on the indie-rock block, this is how you do it. This is brilliant, this is exciting, this is, well, this is gold!
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