Harlow’s Monkeys – Gravity (2022)
Headed by the singer-songwriter and producer Tommy P, Harlow’s Monkeys is a group not afraid to be provocative. In fact, the band believes that music should be true and provocative, and that is exactly what they share with their sound. Described as having a memorable style, the indie-rock foursome is reaching audiences in the San Francisco music scene and beyond. Featured on American Songwriter, Stereo Stickman, Get Alternative and iHeart radio, US-based Harlow’s Monkeys have blasted onto the blogosphere. The latest addition to their discography is the single ‘Gravity’.
Following their EP When I Wake From My Butterfly’s Dream, ‘Gravity’ adopts a smooth, flowing indie-rock meets grunge sound with tinges of pop-rock. Moving from the elegant fingerpicking style during the bridges and verses, Harlow’s Monkey highlights their skill in more intricate styles. However, the pounding drums and dynamic guitar riffs crescendo into catchy choruses. What I find particularly interesting is not the indie-rock melody but the slight incorporation of piano and keys picking at an EDM drop.
Tipping you into a kaleidoscopic whirlpool of music, the band reach out into the soundscape with intense intimacy. Easily explained as losing control with the bold vocals, brash instrumentation and harmonic arrangement, ‘Gravity’ is intoxicating. I find it amusing in that the melody is a sonic swirl while the theme also focuses on losing control. It is this alignment of sound and concept that showcases Harlow’s Monkeys’ innovativeness.
As I mentioned, Harlow’s Monkeys is not a band to shy from provocative material, and ‘Gravity’ is no different. The lyrics explore feelings about anxiety when a person is drawn to another person’s magnetism and the loss of control when they have “caught the love bug”. The butterflies in your stomach, the fuzziness in your head and the sensation of being lost in a haze are all represented in ‘Gravity’.
For more from Harlow’s Monkeys check out their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
