After the release of their second album, ‘All Out Of Good Days’ in May 2023, the band shared in a heartfelt message to fans that all five members had finally managed to quit their day jobs to pursue the Krooked Kings journey full-time. Since then, a US and European tour later, the Utah kings hailing from Salt Lake City are quick to put their stamp on 2024 with x poignant new single, ‘Catacombs’.
In contrast to their most recent single, ‘On Again, Off Again’ (November 2023), ‘Catacombs’ exhibits a much softer approach from the band. Written on a chilly snow day whilst listening to Bon Iver (what a mood, I may add), the American indie-folk influence is strong in this heavy yet wholesome tune. Opening with a delicate yet intriguing guitar, distorted vocals are quick to cut in with ‘living in the catacombs’, setting a light and airy tone that is continued throughout the track’s entirety.
As the bass kicks in, close your eyes and you’re floating on a cloud – maybe overlooking a busy city – maybe its Salt Lake City; the track audibly painting a relaxing picture through velvety vocals and equally soothing backing vocals, with steady drumbeats helping to create a gorgeously soft and comforting sound, perfect for daydreaming to. Are you feeling sleepy?
But as the song’s title and macabre album artwork consisting of bones and skulls suggests, this track is not all sunshine and roses. Sombre lyrics centred around ideas of death and dread with ‘you’ve been busy making your own grave’ convey darker ideas contrasted against the dreamy, indie backdrop. As the song progresses layers of synths pull you out of the dream-like state, and help to convey this raw emotion, something Krooked Kings are experts at – using their music to express these often challenging and unpleasant feelings.
Just like the urban legends of the Paris catacombs, people find the tunnels of bones and skulls alluring and are drawn to explore these vast underground graves, just as we can sometimes be drawn to ideas of darkness – finding comfort in pain. With many people getting trapped while exploring the endless catacombs, we sometimes risk getting trapped in our own seemingly endless streams of dark thoughts – struggling to break free from the catacombs of our mind.
Despite the morbid metaphor that adds a sinister air of melancholy to the track, sonically ‘Catacombs’ beholds enough pleasant tones to warm the chilliest of days and sooth those January blues. ‘You make peace with the ghost in your head’ and ‘release all your feelings of dread’ is a positive and relatable idea of coming to terms with difficult emotions, making the track overall a peaceful one. Listening is like hugging a warm cup of tea and being transported to a golden field on a summer’s day – a treat for the ears, and for the soul.Â