I’ve had some seriously good R&B on my plate lately, but none has scratched a particular itch until now that Brenda Carsey’s “Party’s Over” comes around. Let me tell you why.
“Party’s Over” is the second single off of Brenda’s upcoming full-length studio album “Cognizance”, and it is an unusually gratifying piece of true old-school R&B/Soul soul that takes me right back to that period of mid-70s to early 80s where both genres coalesced into something truly beautiful that most modern records don’t really seem to touch upon anymore.
First of all, the song is entirely orchestral and analog-sounding. There are no drum machine beats and no synth samples. In its stead, the song’s got that authentic sepia-hued, the blue-collared aesthetic value that feels just a little bit warmer. Between the lush-yet-melancholic strings and the euphoric introduction of brass accompaniment, you’ll be transported to a different era. There’s just no way around it.
Brenda’s vocals of course deserve huge praise as well. She sings some of the most Elegant Soul that you’re going to hear any time soon due to the way she so perfectly balances the sensuality and the multi-colored emotional intensities inherent to the style. Part of that is also found in the amazing lyrics she put together for this track, mixing elements of tenderness and heartbreak alike into something that’s truly inviting you to sing along for the whole duration.
“‘Party’s Over’ is NOT about hating on partying! I love a good late night, dancing, music, bohemian settings, and debauchery! It’s a song about how falling too far down the party rabbit hole may lead to a life of superficial relationships lacking intimacy, addiction to substances used as a tool for masking or avoiding the truth, an unhealthy lifestyle in regards to health and hygiene, and more. ”
Very few things are as fitting for the Soul/R&B era that Brenda is channeling through this track as that alloy of Dionysian inclinations with a blues-like lamentation over losing sight of oneself amidst the stray path, hoping the listener gets the Aesop before it’s too late.
With just two singles out, Brenda’s upcoming album is already gotten me incredibly hyped, and I’m sure you can easily hear why as well.
PHOTO CREDIT: MORGAN DEMETER STORY: LADYGUNN STAFF
CONTACT BRENDA CARSEY