Alabama Rose  “L.O.V.E.”

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/alabamaroseofficial

If you’re like me and simply can’t contend with mainstream pop music’s trite releases as of late, the melodic, homespun swagger of Alabama Rose’s new song “L.O.V.E.” might be just what you need to satisfy your inner lust for inventive audio. “L.O.V.E.” is a bouncy alternative rock romper that has the haunting reverb of a ‘60s pop nugget and the marching percussion of a tribal war dance. As far as pop songs go it’s an ambitious yet subtle composition that shows us that its composer isn’t willing to hold back when it comes to unleashing sonic ribbonry one delicately designed note at a time. Simply put, it’s a wonderful change of pace from what 2018 has had to offer thus far.

Hailing from the city of Birmingham in The Heart of Dixie, Alabama Rose has a glisten in her sound that makes her music feel somewhat pop-centric, but at the same time her post-punk and psychedelic influences aren’t explicitly hidden from her fans in the slightest. There’s never a moment in “L.O.V.E.” where we feel like we’re listening to a standard indie pop song. This tune goes out of its way to reel in its more off the cuff moments before it devolves into droning ambient territory. In other words, there’s enough experimentation here for the music buffs and a memorable hook for less refined fans as well.

“L.O.V.E.” has a confidence that borders on pomp in certain places, and even in its most boisterous moments we’re able to discern each one of the instruments in the recording without having to slow down the tape and break out the magnifying glass. Producing a slick single is key to cratering the ever-changing music business, and despite the fact that this song ends on a rather abrupt note, it still maintains its stride and concludes at a relatively logical point, carefully utilizing several aspects of Phil Spector’s infamously coined “Wall of Sound”.

Rose strikes me as an artist that doesn’t want to overindulge but often can’t help herself; fortunately for us though, the results so far have been pretty enjoyable. “L.O.V.E” was recorded live in Nashville’s The Bomb Shelter studio with Jon Estes, whose litany of impressive production credits include pop singer Kesha and country stars Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn just to name a few. Estes has played a crucial role in Rose’s creative development thus far, having overseen the rest of her catalog in addition to this single as well. Personally I think it was wise to spread out the mix in the way that he did. As stated previously, nothing here is mashed together nor shoved on top of each other. We can hear the vocals with immense clarity, even when they’re crashing into the guitar parts without a care in the world.

Music has the unique power to evoke a lot of emotions inside us, but rarely does it produce the sort of physicality that “L.O.V.E.” and Alabama Rose do. While “L.O.V.E” gives listeners a glimpse into her melodic 1960s influences, her full performance is a trip through several retro rock and roll moods, combining themselves with powerful stage presence and relentless energy to create a truly memorable experience. If you were lucky enough to hear Rose crooning from the top of an Austin, Texas high-rise hotel at this year’s SXSW events (where she picked up 6 unofficial showcases as a first time artist), then you’re already aware of her unparalleled ability to make any venue her own. Her live performances are something she takes great pride in, and so far Rose has yet to disappoint audiences and critics with her intriguing brand of creativity in or out of the studio. I’m quite excited to see where she goes next from here.

SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/user-578023788/love-mp3/s-bwTTV

Mindy McCall