Sarah Gross - “Killjoy”
Photo by Nicholas Peta
New York-based Sarah Gross fills your ears with a heavy dose of introspection via her new single, “Killjoy,” a song about mourning one’s younger self.
For this song, Gross has summoned the style of John Prine and wrapped it around the more modern sound of Kacey Musgraves. “Killjoy” begins with some gently strummed acoustic guitar before Gross’ delicate vocal appears, taking listeners on a personal, yet familiar journey that describes the way “each step into adulthood feels like a new wound to the inner-child.” Gross has earned a spot on our blog for the subject matter alone, but the arrangement is perfectly crafted as well.
“Killjoy” may very well reside firmly in the genre of Americana, but the techniques utilized by Gross will catch the ears of many. For example, there are some major ethereal vibes within the multiple layers of backing vocals, which has resulted in bringing us back for multiple listens. There are also some fantastic harmonies that have been deployed on the hook, as well as brief glimpses of additional elements that foreshadow the approaching full-band elevation.
Just past the song’s midpoint, your ears shall be rewarded with a lift on the chorus that includes bass, drums, piano, and we even hear hints of lap steel. But the multiple layers of vocals, of course, are what have really nailed this arrangement together– and if you’ve ever read a single page of our blog, you’ll recall that this is the case with most of the songs that have the ability to reach right into the soul and deeply resonate within us, as is the case with “Killjoy.”
If you’re in the New York area on August 31st, Gross will be celebrating the release of her new record, The Killjoy, at Mercury Lounge (although we hope this means that a tour will be announced soon).
-HD