Nashville-based, alternative Rocker, Garland Kelley, denounces climate change and tackles ecological anxiety in his latest single “The Point of No Return”.
There’s a singer-songwriter feel that underlies the song’s more grassroots political messaging. It’s both heartfelt and urgent, but there’s a nice indie rock sheen to it with propulsive guitars, stacked harmonies, and spacious drumbeat. You can still hear the Nashville country roots, but it’s presented with a bit more of that rambunctious rock and roll energy. It’s equal parts Rascal Flatts and Foo Fighters in terms of influence.
Anthemic in nature, the song steps more into a cynical political mindset using biblical language (“judgement day”)to paint a dire picture of impending doom. Though, he does seem to think we are still at the edge rather than entirely over the cliff, so there’s some hope to help balance out the conflicting sentiments that still use biblical references to make the messaging grander (“promised land”).
Either way, Kelley draws a musical line in the sand beyond which is a place we can’t come back from. All we can do is listen, and hopefully make the choice to step back from the ledge.
“The Point of No Return” is available now on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
Subscribe to Alchemical Records today to support our efforts online and in print.
Join the Alchemical Records Street Team to promote these and other artists, live music, and music community organizations & events while receiving cool perks from artists throughout the region.
After AFI DOCS’s departure, the capital city once again has a documentary festival.
Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
