A rousing rocker that succeeds in both debonair and fervent moments, “Passerby” is a recent single from Crimson Brooks. The duo unveil a no-frills, bluesy rock energy — drawing from influences like The Dead Weather and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. Its independent, perseverant lyrical perspectives — “when the world turns its back, to the hell with that” — infuses within rollicking guitar lines and clamoring rhythms, excelling with a stripped-down rock arsenal though one that still packs plenty of punch in its charismatic vocal lead, scorching-hot guitar work, and sturdy rhythmic undercurrent.
Crimson Brooks, who are based in St. Petersburg, Russia, describe the release as being “mostly influenced by the feeling of helplessness in the face of the global political events and feelings of being rejected.” They continue: “But outside of that, it’s also inspired by the feeling of not belonging, rootlessness, isolation, hopelessness and our deeply pessimistic outlook on life on the whole. And a strange sense of strength and reassurance coming from that pessimistic outlook: If you don’t get your hopes up you won’t ever be disappointed.”
Representing the first single from their upcoming album, following a six-year hiatus, “Passerby” compels with an anthemic, free-spirited vigor. The beginnings are initially muted, as the vocals remark “I’m a passerby, I don’t make the rules” within an understated guitar twanginess. The guitar work escalates as the vocals warn “don’t try to hold me down” — prompting a sweltering dose of guitars as the “world turns its back” laments infuse. Enthralling across both hard-rocking culminations and simmering, climactic emotion, “Passerby” is a resonating success from the act, whose forthcoming album we’re certainly now anticipating.
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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.
