Crimson Brooks is stepping back out of the shadows after a six-year hiatus, which has given us the opportunity to get to know this Floridian duo (Maria and Greg) for the first time with their new single ‘Passerby’. There are bubbling undertones of bands like Kings of Leon and The White Stripes throughout the slinky, blues-inflected grooves of this alt-rock number which plays on the all-too-relevant themes of global disillusionment and widespread disenchantment. Even in just the past few years, the world seems to have drifted into a state of no-return where feelings of rejection, rootlessness and helplessness have the ability to overwhelm any one of us.
As an act of defiance, Crimson Brooks offer up this raw and cathartic garage-meets-blues anthem where they play tension and release off on one another. Maria injects a visceral urgency through her role as both drummer and vocalist, meanwhile Greg’s spacious and restrained guitar work resists overindulgence, instead finding a quiet power. The addition of synthetic bass underlines this stripped-back aesthetic without overriding the duo’s unstoppable chemistry.
Recorded in their own studio, some rough edges of ‘Passerby’ have been left intact to preserve a sensation of a live performance. This further amplifies the humanity at the core of this track, where resilience can overcome any challenge. It’s not about waiting for things to change or for someone to take your troubles away – sometimes we have to be our own hero. Overall, ‘Passerby’ is a compelling return for Crimson Brooks, as well as a bold signal of their upcoming album. Watch this space!
You can also listen to ‘Passerby’ in our Indie Rockers playlist.
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