“You know you’re in BedStuy honey when you’re walking down the street.” Karaoke Mood Killer comes in hot for their second single off their debut cassette Demos due out November 8th on Spirit Lust.
Party Like it’s 1958 plays through as an ode to an ever-changing New York and how we are just cogs in the wheel that keeps everything moving “forward.” The swinging drum beat and twangy guitar drive this song through as the vocals take you on a trip to various neighborhoods of New York City, some of which you may only end up in becuase you passed out on the train and some that are simply pass-throughs (for now).
Karaoke Mood Killer also touches on a new and actually shameful walk of shame: “when you do that guilty walk, to the newest building on the block.” Adding a touch of gentrification accountability that many of us carry around and see. As the song starts to come to a close, multiple layers of guitar leads start flowing in. The drums continue to hold it down as the song really jams before slowly fading out.
Karaoke Mood Killer is the project of Franklin Ligh (Should’ve, Abi Glass). The debut release contains 8 tracks, all self-recorded in Bushwick. I’m lucky enough to have a sneak peek of the entire release and it is not one to be missed. It’s loaded with great classic/slacker rock vibes mixed with more modern, and at times swooning, emotional vocals. Certainly to be enjoyed by fans of early Parquet Courts and even the classic New York legends, The Velvet Underground. It’s got the right balance of rawness on top of skillful songwriting. It makes you want to grab your guitar and start singing from your rooftop.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for more music to come from both Karaoke Mood Killer and Spirit Lust. You can catch the release show for Demos at Alphaville on November 5th. Also featuring Should’ve, Dead Tooth, and Johnny Dynamite.
Pre-order the cassette here.
All words by Jacob Saxton