The captivating debut single from NYC-based singer-songwriter Magdala, “Knuckles” fuses poetic lyrical prowess with a pulsing, meditative rock undercurrent. Reminding fondly of Fiona Apple in its artful lyricism and ruminating melodic fervor, “Knuckles” captures how the process of letting go of things we love can bring about a true appreciation for them. The track is described as an “anti-love song,” where a central vocal refrain — “I let it go,” — suggests catharsis via release, rather than possession. A rejection of relationship imbalance and overwrought ego renders emotional selectivity and detachment as a personal strength.
A serenely introspective vocal immersion melds with twanging guitars and steady rhythms, as the opening verses craft imagery of a fish caught in a bloody cycle. “Down by the river / Caught the same fish / It’s got 5 hooks drooping / From its bleeding lip / I let it go.” It feels reflective of a series of events — where one is continuously hooked by temptation, and wounded as it runs its course. Further perspectives intertwine the role of scarcity on desire, relative to fruit or decaying flowers. Each verse builds a scene where something precious, painful, or profound presents itself — and also the act of refusing to cling onto them. A compelling display of self-love and thoughtful independence, “Knuckles” is a resonating success of a debut from Magdala.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
