Two new singles from longtime collaborators Goodbye, Beautiful and Tara Craig captivate with their urgency and anthemic rock spirit. Released as a limited edition 7″ vinyl with all profits donated to The Trevor Project and the ACLU, “Flood The Zone” and “Gilded Bastards” succeed with their melodic prowess and intertwined thematic pursuits — both capturing darkening societal decay, driven by greed and immoral leadership, while differing in deliveries of empowerment and escapism, respectively.
“Flood The Zone” commences with a post-punk sturdiness, as clanging guitars and panting percussion invigorate. An anthemic rock disposition then takes hold, as Craig’s vocals recount a portrait of modern political tumults — “Nazi salutes, power suits, Trump and Elon in cahoots” — with infectious edge. Rather than wallowing in the darkness, though, the track inspires with its positive messaging and emphasis of personal power. “Tyrants can’t thrive, where there’s strong communities, people acting with joy,” Craig sings during the excitable hook. “They need our despair and anger to rise. Turn off the noise. Cut off their supply.” The title-bearing call to “flood the zone with irresistible joy” and overwhelm darkness plays with cathartic, enthralling immersion.
Similarly gripping though set within an angstier grit, “Gilded Bastards” compels with its frustrations on a current “hellscape” and pleas to “get me out of here.” Its escapist alt-rock tendencies are compelling throughout, particularly during the “shitting on golden thrones” segment — the guitars there reminding fondly of Johnny Marr in its moody maneuvering. “Gilded Bastards” proves riveting in its reckoning with a world full of greed, lies, and manipulation. Both tracks from this collaborative team excel with powerfully poignant thematic sentiments and a fervent rock entrancement.
