Queen Kwong – ‘Love Me To Death’ (Album Review)
Improvisation is a rarity in music these days. People generally prefer to pen songs over extended periods of time, usually being careful to adhere to a well-worn, formulaic path. Simply by willing her rock-rooted art into existence spontaneously, Queen Kwong stands apart from the pack.
“Queen Kwong sound dangerous – unlike so much of what passes for rock ‘n’ roll these days”
2015’s long-playing Get A Witness was born as a stream of consciousness – and this time out, Love Me To Death occupies the space between pure, unfiltered improv and the more traditional approach referenced above. This set of songs come from the best of both worlds, and the results are inevitably idiosyncratic.
Love Me To Death is at its core a glorious mass of stomping grooves, sick basslines, and lead guitar delivered from the outer limits of musical possibility. It sounds dangerous – unlike so much of what passes for rock ‘n’ roll these days. Carré Callaway is rebellious in a way countless peers simply fail to be – and her vocals consistently reflect an upgraded confidence, even when proceedings turn mournful (as on Old Faithful) or self-analytical (Raptures).
What’s more, Love Me To Death manages to be consistently thrilling. Despite the obvious post-production work, it still feels as if it could all fall apart at any moment. This is the sonic equivalent of polishing your boots with sandpaper – only for them to shine all the more for it.
How many of this year’s albums can you say that about?
LTK RATING: 94% (Essential Listening!)
Pre-order Love Me To Death (out April 13) on iTunes.
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