The Eagles famously sang in 1976 that life in the fast lane will surely make you lose your mind…everything all the time. I think bands like Nightfly figured out that The Eagles were onto something and had that in mind while writing the opposite “Who’s In” for their new EP But Wait, There’s More. A follow up to 2017’s Honey Jelly Jam, Nightfly basks away in the buttery mix of jazz, blues and neo classical rock blends.
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/NightflyFL
Nightfly hails from Florida and is Diane Moore, Seth Bernstein, Andre Follot, Mike E. Styx and Whitey Bryan. They certainly go big or go home with “Who’s In”. This song has twists and turns, and meanders awhile, even merinates for a while, before it all just drifts away into the sunset. Lead vocalist Moore is a wise choice behind the mic, and having that female voice balance out the jazz and bluesy marks creates an even more dynamic and depth of sound. Her tenor possesses both delicate and edgy threading. Once you put her voice against the sound of the percussion and the guitars, it’s like lights out. There’s a spark there than you typically only find with a band that has natural chemistry and synergy.
I think hearing this song for the first time, one might have an idea of the improvisation this band gives in a live setting. They really center their sound here, and reign it in. In the same way you would turn a sink faucet off and on, the flood of sounds goes in-and-out. Only, it’s not a sudden stop. It sounds completely natural and binds together perfectly. Nightfly has a solid foundation and does a great job of keeping the energy very high.
The chorus: who’s in, can’t you hear me callin’, who’s in is catchy. It stayed with me for quite some time, and I found myself bopping my head to the beat. I can almost picture a herd of dancers on the dance floor pointing at each other during the chorus – with their eyes answering the questions of who’s in. It lends itself to audience participation and that always makes me smile and crack up a tiny bit. Who doesn’t have fun watching people dance? The bass guitar jabs itself into the scene, with the keys quickly behind. I’ll be there to greet you, Moore sings. I liked how she added this nugget to the lyrics. It felt conversational and gregarious.
APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/us/album/whos-in/1510829373?i=1510829374
“Who’s In” has a great cruising vibe, too. As much as I can hear this song at a backyard party, I can also hear it being cranked up, on the car radio with the windows down. Maybe a part of me found bits of it nostalgic or classic rock. The guitar and the bass combinations feel that way, as does the keyboard arrangement. That vintage finish only lasts but a minute, as “Who’s In” is fresh and fun. Audiences of all ages will appreciate the nod to the past, but a strong jump to a lively, present sound.
Garth Thomas