Nashville’s Adalene is not what you’d expect from their name or their place of origin. Guitar-fueled pop-rock, they’re a pleasant surprise in a market dying for innovation.
In just three minutes and 22 seconds, they provide plenty with “Atlantic Heart,†the title track off their new EP, although its instant familiarity is the song’s biggest selling point.
While the lyrics are infectious, it’s the hook that steals your attention. The chorus of the track feels like a sped-up version of Genesis’ “Invisible Touch.†Lead singer Brett Moyer sounds much more like he belongs in a modern rock group, something in between Fallout Boy and Incubus, but the song’s pacing, drums and guitar work is simple and catchy in a groovy late ‘80s kind of way.
The song tells a story of a gal who runs away from her home, against the wishes of her friends and family. While the song shares a lyrical similarity to the Dixie Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces,†it’s anything but. There’s no acoustic guitar or crooning. Instead, there’s Moyer’s sneakily singing through the verses before he powers up for the hook. Joined by the strings and drums, the song picks up the tempo. Without the hook, the song would survive, but it wouldn’t get stuck in your head.
Easily relatable, the track is not quite a rock anthem, but behind the lyrics alone, the song has staying power. Perfect in the car or on your way to work, it’ll get you pumped up without a crash.
With a fun hook, solid musicianship and sing-a-long and sheer dancibility, Adalene proves they belong on the radio. Even in Nashville.
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