Psychedelic undertones and existential overtones on Alpha Cat’s track
Alpha Cat – ‘All In Your Head’
‘It’s all in your head’ sings the titular refrain of Alpha Cat’s latest release, and perhaps it’s not immediately clear what she’s referring to. But with the knowledge that its album ‘Venus Smile…Retrograde’ is all on the theme of a broken heart, the phrase takes on a more optimistic turn – perhaps the power of the mind can really defeat heartbreak. Either way, it’s a solid and accessible track for the first release off the album.
Alpha Cat is the project of New York-based songstress Elizabeth McCullough. The release of this album was unfortunately delayed by the death of a friend and musical collaborator, but now it’s ready for the world.
‘All In Your Head’ is a pulsing, mid-tempo indie-pop track with more than a touch of the psychedelic to it.
Madonna’s Ray of Light era comes to mind, albeit with a darker, more cerebral tone. The lyrics live somewhere between the abstract and a therapy session – ‘No reality is what you make…no future only the present’. McCullough’s husky vocals are guttural, and compelling, as she sings ‘It’s in front of you, it’s beside you, it’s your mother, it’s your lover’ – it’s not the clearest of narratives, but as the kids would say, it’s all about the vibes. The melodies are not extreme either, but have a relentless, hypnotic drive to them.
The production mixes parts of the groovy 1970s, the grungy 1990s and some modern flair, with influences from the aforementioned Madonna as well as likes of The Beatles, Sheryl Crow and Alanis Morrissette. Twanging guitar lines mix with shimmering cymbals, flickering synths, and even the swoop of a cello to set up a steady groove. It’s a tad long at 4.27, but an enjoyable wave to ride nonetheless.
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Words Eden Tredwell
