Arcadia Grey’s most recent single “Kevin Pickles & the Great Pool Noodle Excursion” finds the band exasperated yet still exploring the boundaries of their patience. The song’s running narrative is a conversation between roommates through smile and gritted teeth that struggles to pilot a polite request that refuses to land. The track offers compelling instrumentation that adds tone to the frustration in the lyrics while maintaining a playful edge.
Bassist/vocalist Nat Breedan makes themselves crystal clear with opening line “I don’t want to do my roommate’s dishes this week”. The bouncy intro guitar chords add tempo to the veiled sarcasm and increasing frustration of the narrator. The animated vocal cadence is mutually reminiscent of Say Anything and Origami Angel as Breedan’s voices bobs and weaves around the backing vocals and instrumentals.
In verse two, the tension builds and builds like a mess of chaotic thoughts running through one’s head. This all comes to a screeching halt as the fed-up chants “I’m gonna blow!” are punctuated by pounding guitars and drums. This clear breaking point is followed by a rock forward instrumental break followed by the climactic, and classic, narrated roommate fight. The track is closed by a half time chorus ripe with volatile drum fills.
On “Kevin Pickles..”, Arcadia Grey sound as tight as ever. Through the verses, the instruments oscillate their percussive, bouncy rhythm into a clearing of moody chords all before transitioning into the driving chorus rhythm. The band is able to paint with an expressive brush both musically and lyrically. The ups and downs and twists and turns of this latest single leaves the listener righteously, empathetically enraged but certainly entertained the entire way.
Arcadia Grey's Sophomore album "Casually Crashing" is set to drop on May 10th! Pre-order here: https://smartpunkshop.com/collections/arcadia-grey
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Arcadia Grey will be hitting the road with Glass Beach this month! Be sure to catch them on tour.
