Where to start ….
I am mesmerised by the
artwork for this single; Howlin’ at the moon looks like any other bar
traditionally featured on the television to represent danger and you just know
something is about to kick off. Centre
stage, sat hunched over, but facing you is a wolf, but in a swanky velvet
suit. What catches your eye is the wolf
isn’t trying to blend in, the face could easily be used on a wildlife
documentary and that’s what has me hooked!
Hasn’t it been said that we are basically all animals, and wouldn’t we
like to know what the other person is thinking and their underlying motives, if you could go to a bar that magically revealed
those intentions by representing the person as an animal, wouldn’t you?
The song kicks off with a
dark chunky repeated guitar line and then an almost spoken vocal, its gritty. Talking
about kicking butt and the dust creates the image of a dry desert and then as you
hear about the dusty boots and broken hearts, Kersley wants you to be
transported to a time of saloons, outlaws and gunslingers. I can picture an old-fashioned
gunslinger who has been roaming for some time depicted by the trail of broken
hearts.
Kersley scores extra points
from me as he has managed so effortlessly to include religion in the song – “go
to church or you’ll be saved”! The song tells us it’s the dark side of the
country, where the people have sold their souls.
The style changes, the voice
rises to a human equivalent of howling at the moon. The layered harmonised vocals conjure up
shadows in the darkness. That wolf, man
or beast is waiting to pounce.
The song fades out with an
instrumental section that never loses its intensity with that irresistible beat
that almost crosses into a different genre. Toe tapping definitely, can you
resist clapping along too?
This is outlaw country at
its best. It works on so many levels, it
isn’t trying to be American, it could be anywhere. It’s relaxing and upbeat at
the same time.
Who would guess that Kersley
is from the UK and in reality a young artist? Inspired by some of the best: Brad Paisley,
George Strait, Chris Stapleton and Garth Brooks.
Howlin’ at the Moon is
the first release from the EP Dusk, I cannot wait to hear the rest.
Howlin' at the Moon, the new single from Mitchell Kersley is available to stream and download now
Find and follow Mitchell on Facebook, his website and on Spotify
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