A grippingly escalating sound stirs on “Cemetery Days,” a new single from Kwolek. Originally from New Jersey and now based in Boulder, CO, the artist ventures from murky contemplation into an expressive title-touting rise on this standout track. The central refrain compels in between descriptive verses that ooze nostalgia. “Couple of goth kids browsing burgundy crushed velvet by the yard at Hobby Lobby while a clerk named Bonnie eyes them up and down,” the vocals exude a stream-of-conscious engrossment amidst guitar tones that strut a does of ’90s alt-rock throwback charm; the lyrical scene-setting and textural guitars combine for a riveting overall sound.
The three-minute mark is especially indicative of Kwolek’s songwriting talents. A lush, meditative meshing of vocals and sleepy guitars send chills, and cohesively launch into delectably screeching guitars; the vigor in this particular escalation is powerfully crafted. “Cemetery Days” is a dynamic, emotive success from Kwolek with enthralling depictions of youth alongside an evolving structural entrancement. We’re excited to hear what’s next from Kwolek, who is prepping to release several singles in the coming months.
Kwolek elaborates further on the track’s creative process and lyrics, in addition to the b-side “Trampoline”:
I’ve been writing in third-person, stories of lost people discovering themselves, exploring proclivities, dancing wildly… “Cemetery Days” features two misfit teens awash in the glorious pretense of youth making art and hanging out in graveyards. The b-side, “Trampoline” is a bouncy bop of drum machines, wobbly synth bass and squawky guitars with impressionistic lyrics alluding to our digital selves and what we give up when we get down online.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
