Album Review: Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse – Hot Nostalgia Radio (Grow Vision Music & Records)

California-based roots-rock band Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse will release their third studio album, ‘Hot Nostalgia Radio’ on May 3rd, 2024, via Grow Vision Music & Records.

Wickedly weird and wonderful, Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse might seem like a rock band on the surface but spend time in the company of their music and you’ll find so much more. Even if the energetic rocker that is Oh Yeah! suggests it might be fairly straight-forward sounding. As far as openers go, the brashy instrumentals and infectious vocals make this one hell of a banging start.

It’s not one and done though, and while the tempo of Wild Woman might be slower, it doesn’t mean Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse aren’t grooving with style. The addictive nature of this band keeps the blood pumping noisily in the veins and just about everything on the album has singalong traits.

Take the next series of tracks; Satisfy Your Queen, I Told My Baby, Middle of the Night, Sad When I’m Dancing, and All I Could Do Was Cry. Variety by the bucketload, danceable energy, peppy rhythms, eccentric touches that make their rocking sound stand out more, softer melodies, and a huge amount of soul. You’ll struggle to not find something to enjoy here.

The addictive vibes of the album and the Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse sound continues with strength into The Runaway. One of the most melodramatic tracks of all, but one that puts the vocals front and centre. Which, considering how amazing they are, is nothing to complain about.

Likewise, there’s nothing to complain about with the soft melodies of Harder to Breathe, the colourful hue of Don’t Let Go, the soaring Penny Paid Rockstar, and the foot-tapper that is Marie. These might not be the most energised Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse tracks, but that doesn’t mean they’re lacking in impact. It’s a simple fact that everything this band does has impact, and the result is something inherently lovable.

Even as it reaches its end, and having been a substantial listen, it will still have everyone hooked in. It’s so damn accessible, and the final duo of Let’s Ride and Mama Cray are as anthemically pleasing as everything that came before.

Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse – Hot Nostalgia Radio Track Listing:

1. Oh Yeah!
2. Wild Woman
3. Satisfy Your Queen
4. I Told My Baby
5. Middle of the Night
6. Sad When I’m Dancing
7. All I Could Do Was Cry
8. The Runaway
9. Harder To Breathe
10. Don’t Let Go
11. Penny Paid Rockstar
12. Marie
13. Let’s Ride
14. Mama Cray

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