REVIEW: King Falcon — Ready Set Go (SINGLE)
Most critics agree that the indie circuit has been one of the more overlooked corners of the North American rock spectrum for the better part of the last five years, but if bands like New York City’s own King Falcon have their way, this isn’t going to remain the narrative for much longer. Rather than employing artsy postmodernity as the centerpiece for their new single “Ready Set Go,” King Falcon is sticking with the basics of rock n’ roll as we came to know them as far back as seventy years ago — the might of the guitar, the weight of the bass, the crash of the drums, and the dynamic virtuosity of a powerful lead singer. Add in their natural talent, and this is a group ready to represent their scene as no others have in recent memory.
URL: https://kingfalconband.com/
The kinship that exists between the players in this group doesn’t start and end with a mutual desire to score checks signed by a rock label, but instead with a love of the icons that made pop music what it is today. Classic rock in the style of the British Invasion and the influence of fellow indie rockers like Tame Impala can all be heard quite vividly in “Ready Set Go,” but I think it’s obvious from the way this band is stylizing the cosmetics of their group that being a throwback to the old school isn’t something on their minds at the moment. There’s too much modernity in their presentation to blend in with the bar bands vying for a spot in rock’s legendary hierarchy, let alone the other Indie talent making waves this summer.
Heavy guitars are the bedrock of any good rock release, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone that King Falcon’s latest studio cut is going to feature the six-string in a starring role. Anchored by its core arrangement from the start, the riff-rocking adrenaline in “Ready Set Go” isn’t meant to channel the vibes of a past chapter in the history of rock n’ roll, but to celebrate the start of what could be a new era of excitement and engagement for fans of the genre. If you’re sick of the synth play and unimaginative samples finding their way into the mix of other material out this season, this is a group that has your true wants more than covered here.
After hearing quite a bit about this group’s potential ahead of their new single’s arrival, I’m looking forward to seeing what they’ve got and how they plan on delivering rock from the evils of lackluster songcraft in the years to come. “Ready Set Go” offers us an up-close and personal look into their artistry that will likely set the tone for everything they release after, but judging from the versatility they’re already building a reputation around, I wouldn’t be shocked if they dropped several different looks to launch their complete discography with as flexible a launch pad as possible. There might not be a lot to rave about in rock today, but these guys are trying to change that once and for all in “Ready Set Go.”
Colin Jordan
