This song has a retro feel, even though it is from an extremely new band. By saying that they are extremely new, I mean that they have yet to release their first CD, which is amazing because it sounds as if the band has been playing for years. Following “Headlights” from earlier this year, “Country Queen” is the new single from Night Moves’ debut album Colored Emotions, which will be released in early October. And, if “Country Queen” is any indication, the album will be filled with dream-like, abstract, and drawling music which works very well for them.
The retro sound of “Country Queen” stems from the slide guitar and nearly falsetto vocals, but the song also possesses aspects and tastes of Southern rock, folk, and the gritty sounds of indie music. The conglomerate is very difficult to describe but is something that everyone should hear.
The vocals are downplayed, almost blending into the music behind, but the lead singer’s high-pitched and calming melodies and words are easy to listen to. They only blend into the background because the music is so powerful. The rhythmic build of strings and synth, the vast atmospheric sound, and the strong piano are perfect. This powerful track is underlined by the steady and simple strumming of an acoustic guitar, which slows down near the end into almost country-western sounding plucking.
“Country Queen” is a great single and one that will no doubt make Colored Emotions a popular album. It’s spacey, trancy, and still has that Midwestern twangy sound that keeps it down to earth. It’s also what makes this song and this band a pleasure to hear.
Madison friends, see Night Moves when they open for Dirty Projectors this Saturday night at the Majestic Theatre.