The Criticals Deliver an Electrifying and Infectious Self-Titled Debut Album
Nashville, a city teeming with rock, indie, alternative, pop, and country artists, is currently witnessing the rise of hometown heroes, The Criticals. Their self-titled debut album is a burst of infectious melodies and in-your-face energy that reverberates throughout each and every one of its 13 tracks. The focus track, "Reba," is a prime example of their rich and relentless soundscapes.
The single opens with the warm hums of amps coming to life, pop-infused percussion, and driving guitar riffs. Lead singer Parker Forbes's brooding vocals observe the goings-on of a down-on-his-luck character who tends to get a little too wasted and has been spending a little too much time on his own. On the angsty hook, things hit a fever pitch for our unfortunate protagonist. The instrumentation races as he begins to strip at the party and get a bit too wild, which apparently is because Reba's on the stereo. The crashing percussion and thrumming rhythms coat the chaos narrated in the insightful lyrics, leaving us with the image of our hero singing "Little Rock" over and over again "until he gets it right."
The accompanying music video is a dynamic visual that mirrors the fiery energy of the single. The band's heartfelt and DIY-inspired effort showcases their unwavering commitment, as they deliver a passionate performance of the song in an aluminum-coated performance space. As the lights flicker and the stage heats up, the band's dedication shines through.
The Crticals are currently on the road, bringing the celebration of their album release to life with a headlining tour. The tour promises an electrifying experience, with stellar opening acts like Common People and New Translations, and co-headliners Ace Monroe. The traveling party is set to visit cities such as Los Angeles, Kansas City, Boston, New York, and their hometown of Nashville over the course of a month.
Listen to The Criticals below:
