New York City duo King Falcon provides the perfect escape from these unprecedented times with infectious, groove-heavy fun on the new single.
If anyone ever understood the power that music possesses, it was probably Bob Marley. His quote about how when the music hits you feel no pain is perhaps the best expression of music’s impact that any string of words could convey. It’s so great, in fact, that I would argue critics like myself spend our entire lives trying to find new ways to say that succinct thought about the music we love.
I don’t know about you, but my back is sore from carrying the weight of the world. The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has provided a lot of time to think, and my brain has used that time to worry about a million things outside of my control. I worry about work, and money, and whether or not people will listen to experts instead of talking heads promoting party politics. I worry about friends that are alone and struggling with addiction, mental health, or a combination of the two. I’m worried about a lot of things all of the time, and to be honest, it’s getting to me.
Thankfully, music still exists. A great song can shake those worries from our shoulders and provide a taste of escapism that, albeit brief, reminds us of the beauty in the world.
In the early days of quarantine, my soundtrack to life indoors was largely comprised of familiar releases that provided a sense of comfort. As time has carried on, however, I find myself increasingly on the hunt for something, anything, to make me feel alive. Music has the power to ignite our souls, which is precisely what King Falcon accomplishes on their exquisite new single, “Shake! Shake! Shake!”
A pure and simple rock song built with thunderous drums and a catchy riff you’ll be thinking about for days, “Shake! Shake! Shake” brings to mind the free-wheeling rock of the early 2000s when groups such as Jet and The Vines were ascending through the indie hierarchy. It’s the kind of song that feels simultaneously off the cuff and meticulously crafted to deliver as much fun and excitement as possible in the shortest amount of time. To try and give a damn about the world outside your view while it plays is a feat no person can accomplish, and that is what makes it the perfect song for this moment in time.
Human beings have a hard time accepting limitations. In certain spectacular cases, our desire to prove the universe wrong leads to world-changing revolutions, but those instances are few and far between. Far more common is the act of driving yourself insane by pondering questions and problems that have no solutions, or at least, nothing you can do to influence their outcome. COVID-19 is an example of the latter, and that is why you need King Falcon’s latest single in your life. The band is single-handedly providing the freedom and escapism our minds and bodies desperately need. They are a reminder that, even in the darkest timeline, you can continue to dance and embrace the miracle of life.
“Shake! Shake! Shake!” is the breath of fresh air we need right now. It’s a reminder of human resilience, and how we will overcome this setback as we have countless challenges throughout time. The human spirit is unbreakable, but in times of crisis, we often forget that fact as we fall victim to fears of the unknown. King Falcon is here to deliver a hard reset of your perspective. The time to cower is over. Dance your cares away. Dance until your feet bleed and you cannot catch your breath. Dance until you remember that you’re alive, which is a powerful thing, and don’t let any disease or chaos beyond your control make you lost sight of that.
