When BEAUX GRIS GRIS & THE APOCALYPSE issued the blood boom bounce of “Satisfy Your Queen”, (video shared below) that delivered the type of crosscurrent rhythms that make you dance-your-ass-off, we knew something special was due with “Hot Nostalgia Radio”, the band’s third studio album, due out May 3rd 2024.
With the song’s crucial chorus, eloquent guitar structure, and classic rock ‘n’ roll foundation, “Satisfy Your Queen” stands out as a slug of powerful energy that amplifies in volume & magnitude as it drills into your bones!
The California roots-rockers’ highly acclaimed, oddly juxtapositional songs, and their marvelously distinctive live performances have seen them steadily gain recognition in the UK and around Europe. Gris Gris pairs the artist / entrepreneur / singer GRETA VALENTI who delivers mischief & coquetry in equal measure with the Cornish musician, record producer, musical director, guitarist, and blues ‘hall of fame’ inductee ROBIN DAVEY while The Apocalypse comprises a variety of gifted musicians from all over the world. These performers include (among others) Tom Rasulo on drums (USA/UK), Alex Thomas on drums (UK) on drums, Emma Jonson (UK) on keys, Sam Robertson (USA) on keys, Daniel Kirkpatrick (USA) on keys, with Stephen Mildwater (UK) on bass or Chris Cunningham (USA) on bass.
As we have stated before, if you enjoy the charm of Louisiana’s smoggy woodlands and a voice as cool as a Plexiglas moon, this will be your new favorite band!
Front woman songwriter, Greta Valenti explains the new album: “We’ve had over four years to write this. The last album was recorded in 2019, pre-pandemic and then we had to sit on it for two years. I had over 100 songs ideas waiting to go, but I really wanted this album to represent classic simple songwriting that strikes a chord within your soul…”
“Hot Nostalgia Radio” begins with “Oh Yeah!” a fast-shoe shuffling rock ‘n’ roll blaster that brings to mind the songs of ’60s-era outfit The Pleasure Seekers combined with, maybe, the Vicki Blue era Runaways. Nevertheless, this fantastic piece also features a hint of sculpted hard-rock guitar that evokes memories of the glam-style oomph! produced by UK’s Girlschool. Sweet!
“Wild Woman” is properly and heavily blues-based, with hammerstoning drums, clawing bass-notes, and giant slabs of guitar. The vocal performance is fierce and sharp, and the angles are invigorating. It’s like going on a rollercoaster ride with malfunctioning safety brakes, knowing it’s a disaster waiting to happen… but loving every minute! Thrilling!
“Middle Of The Night” has a Rolling Stones vibe from the off, featuring a catchy guitar riff and an overall sense of energetic blues party merrymaking and playful revelry.
an overall sense of energetic blues party merrymaking and playful revelry…
Raw Ramp Music Magazine
“Harder To Breathe” is a bundlet of George Harrisonesque nostalgia with a Delaney & Bonnie style musical arrangement where Greta expresses, with great aplomb, her quavery-melodious and delectably saffroned songstyle. A nuanced piece.
The album ends with a lively green beans creole heritage track titled “Mama Cray” that will make everyone except the most exhausted dancers groove in the aisles.
This album is perceptive, persuasive, and, at points, pungently pithy! If you’re into blues filled with larks, hokeypokeys, and jitterbugs… then you simply must tune into Hot Nostalgia Radio!
Hot Nostalgia Radio by Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse is out May 3, 2024 via Grow Vision Music & Records.
Words: © Neil Mach
Main Photo: © Kaelin Davis
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