Geese Welcome the End of the World With Open Arms in "Cowboy Nudes"
Photo: Kyle Berger
New York indie rockers Geese have returned to share their latest banger, "Cowboy Nudes." The single sees the band, who is known for their eclectic mix of time signatures and for creating dark, angular music, stepping out of their comfort zone and exploring warmer and more inviting soundscapes with congas and bright guitar tones at the forefront.
"Cowboy Nudes" hooks listeners with its neo-retro vibe full of sunny guitar riffs, groovy bass, and persistent percussion that weaves in and out of the production. Singer Cameron Winter croons, "We're living in the future," as the nostalgic, '70s-inspired instrumentation builds. The soulful chorus chants, "Be my warrior! / My love and light / Be my warrior! / It gon' be alright / Be my warrior! / Just you and I, " before launching into an intense drum circle that pushes the song's pleasant, nostalgic tones into a more primal sonic space.
"The song is about life getting better and more fun after the end of the world," says Winter. "When we were doing overdubs, I wanted to add something Eastern-sounding on the second verse, so I had our drummer Max bring over this busted-up sitar we'd had lying around since high school. I went to buy some new strings at a world music store, and the guy told me one pack was $80. I thought he was kidding, so I bought two. He was not; sitar strings aren't cheap. I didn't even end up fully restringing it, I just played the one not-broken string. So you better appreciate that goddamn sitar on the second verse. I'm also proud of the line about falling in love with a tumbleweed."
The music video, directed by Andy Swartz and Cameron Winter, sees a loving couple drive into the countryside on a gorgeous afternoon. However, their weekend in the woods soon becomes quickly demented, matching the song's unexpected shift.
Watch the "Cowboy Nudes" video below:
