Necktie Social makes their sound clear right off the bat in their latest EP, Red Wine Haze. Right away, they begin each song with a guitar riff that sets the tone and theme for this album. Their inspiration from greats such as Van Halen and Jimmy Hendrix shines through beautifully with their strong instrumentals on each track. The background volume is turned up and the drums and guitars take the reins and run with it from the beginning. The vocals match this energy, taking a gritty rock and roll sound to go with the background and adding a blues twist to go along with the lyrics.
While much of the music is energetic and high tempo, this does not always indicate the same type of lyrics and theme. Much of the lyricism throughout Red Wine Haze is quite the opposite of uplifting. Many songs include the very hard hitting realities of a life of sin and temptation, whether that be through alcohol, women, or whatever it may be. The listener is clearly meant to understand that the rock instrumentals and high tempo are mirrored with the fast pace of bad decision making that can quickly turn a situation sideways and lead to a life of regret. However, the album does delve into the consequences of these actions, particularly on the title track, in which the band discusses the themes of heartbreak and regret.
The songs do not slow down, but the voice changes to emphasize the meaning of each word. Not only do the lyrics send a message, but the titles of each song do as well. “Devil’s Backbone” and “Lost my Soul in Georgia” reference old songs and the theme of sin, while “Walk on Water” references the Bible, thus acknowledging the sin of the artist and the regret that is mentioned throughout. “Till the Knife Drops” shows that the artist knows they are on the edge of good and bad, and “Hello Or Goodbye” emphasizes the feeling of struggle between right and wrong and knowing that it is not always easy to change. This is one of the few songs that does take its time at some points, even though it is still rather fast paced. It is a song that deals with the end of relationships, making it the perfect track to end this EP.
The lyrics, vocals, and instrumentals of this album work together to form an incredible sound that mashes up themes and sounds from classic rock, blues, and country in an intricate and pleasing way. Started by vocalist Dusty Owen and guitarist Joey Torres, with the addition of drummer Corey Davis and bassist Jacob Veal, Necktie Social’s most recent EP, Red Wine Haze, is a piece of art that fans of any genre can and will enjoy. It has hints and inspiration from all different generations, musicians, and types of music that have been blended together by a talented group of individuals that have created a band with a great sound and great potential.
Written by Logan Duffett