First Listen: Ruby Rose Fox “Domestic”
“I have heard it ALL before” is what I often times tell myself. Everyone is ripping off or borrowing from someone else. Creating their own Frankenstein sound and aesthetic. It is hard to be original in a world and time where so much has come before it. That is what I often told myself…then I heard the voice of Ruby Rose Fox. The singer-songwriter doesn’t quite fit any certain mold or try and force fit her sound or personality into any sort of cast. She has constructed and sculpted her own sense of being and voice. A precious metal of a different sheen, a voice that stands on it owns and barrels you down with is intensity.
The latest from Fox, ‘Domestic’ (due out in late May) is a deep and swirling whirlpool of sound. The arrangements on the record border on heavy rock n’ roll to electro-pop. “Bury the Body” takes the first plunge into the latter, with the combination of cavernous drums, low ringing drones of electric guitars and harmonies that seem to drop in and out, orbiting your head and leaving you flying. Huge sounds ring out throughout the course of the 12 tracks. With cathedral glass shattering harmony vocals, a healthy dose of synth sounds, and a rock n’ roll nucleus and attitude that is nothing short of electrifying. “Dance of Frankenstein” (previous video highlight and words here) is another standout track, which I could only venture to describe as “Soul for days”.
The star, as you might imagine, even with the impressive and striking instrumentals being so, is Fox’s voice. Provocative and sexy, it pulls you towards it, beckoning like a siren until you are stuck and can’t break free of it’s hold (not like you would want to anyway). You are engulfed by the music and pulled deeper into the experience of the music enveloping your head. F*ck, it’s just, so good. When she goes low her voice has the capacity to rumble you to the core, but when she sings out high, extended and opens up her true range it has the ability to give you that “holy shit, this is really happening right now” feeling as you listen.
It is one thing when an artist is able to blow you away, but that sensation tends to fizzle out over time. Ruby wowed me from the second I heard her voice and continues to leave a deep and lasting mark on me with each note. She and her band are exciting and unique. Unlike anything else in the immediate community for sure, and I am uncertain I have heard anything comparable period. She is an artist in the truest sense. Their live show sets stages on fire and although you should all go out immediately catch the band face to face, they manage to really capture the emotion and vibe of their live shows on this recording.
With Domestic, Ruby Rose Fox continues to violently rip my heart straight out of my chest, and then coax it back to beating ever so gently and sweet. A cyclone of emotion and raw passion…and for that Ms. Fox, I thank you.
