State Cows: I Got the Message/Borrowed Time
Details
Genre: RockPros:
Similiar in pace to their former releases, "Borrowed Time" and "I Got the Message" are both bubbly yacht rock revivalsCons:
Although good and yummy to the ear, more of the familiar is starting to feel like a crutch.Millennial yacht rock duo turn up the ’80’s volume on new singles
Millennial yacht rock duo turn up the ’80’s volume on new singles
Like their musical heroes Steely Dan, the Sweedish band State Cows, made up of musical duo Daniel Andersson and Stefan Olofsson, believe in achieving a perfected sophisticated sound. It’s well documented on their self-titled disc and the comparable follow-up (The Second One). And so with their smooth West Coast yacht rock sound in play, they are rolling out new singles for their new anticipated album (Challenges) in the works.
Their most recent track, “I Got the Message,” mentions Steely Dan by lyric: “Used to be an average joe playing with Steely Dan/One morning I arose to find that everything was over.” It’s a Doomsday-like moment, befitting the quasi-darkness that’s often associated with a catastrophic Steely Dan piece. But the tune is actually sunnier, relying more on a shiny synth ala ‘Charles in Charge’ but with Toto sharpness.
The other musical offering, “Borrowed Time” supplies the most earworm magic. The glowy sound effects, soft rock stunts, melodic ’80’s pop posture and surprising modulation towards the end gives the song all the good feels. Everything you’ve come to know about State Cows is evidenced here; no goofy surprises here.
LISTEN: “I GOT THE MESSAGE” AND “BORROWED TIME” BY STATE COWS
