Boston indie rock sextet Bent Knee have an affection for all things epic. In 2011, the group released their self-titled debut, drawing from a hefty mixture of jazz, baroque pop, and psychedelia to create grand anthems, even though most of the songs were written from the comfort of a bedroom studio. Now they have their sights set on new musical territories as they prep the self-release of their sophomore record, Shiny Eyed Babies, due out November 11th.
Given the group’s large lineup, their latest single “Battle Creek” opens up sounding surprisingly sparse. Starting with a slightly reverb-tinged guitar, each element slowly crawls in. Vocalist Courtney Swain starts off at a near whisper, eventually building up to a triumphant roar. Every piece of the band feels purposeful, building off of each other. It’s a powerful exercise in restraint and release with explosive results.
Listen in below.