The Criticals Deliver a Sleazy, Intoxicating Single in "Adoringly Drunk"
It's hard not to be addicted to The Criticals' latest single, "Adoringly Drunk." In the new single, the Nashville duo, formed by vocalist Parker Forbes and guitarist Cole Shugart, channel their infectious energy and catchy pop-rock sensibilities into a picture of drunken sexual tension and seemingly one-sided affection.
Relentless percussion patterns and deep, thrumming bass lines aid pop-infused guitar riffs as Forbes' rich vocals beg the person who holds his heart to give him "life..air..anything." He pines over her, desperately crooning to himself, "I would die every night / If it meant you'd possibly want me." Across the table from each other during a night out and trying to cut through the noise of his thoughts, he realizes her stronghold over him and tries to make sense of it all.
As the gut-punching instrumentation of the hook subsidizes into the second verse, Forbes looks back on significant memories he has with his situationship, like the time she barged through her roommate's door and yelled, "What the hell do you mean you don't like The Arctic Monkeys?" Finding himself in a state of growing instability, the hook returns with a bang, up the ante as the production goes from an indie-rock banger to a crashing chaos collage.
The new single is the band's first release of the year and is the first taste of their highly anticipated, unnamed album, out April 19. With experience on the road under their belt already supporting artists like Something Corporate and Houndmouth, the duo will set out on a headlining tour in celebration of their sophomore record.
Watch the "Adoringly Drunk" video below:
