It makes sense why Roxercat would call their debut EP Pearls. Just like the process of a pearl being made, these musicians have gone through the process to become the virtuosos they are. It doesn’t take more than one listen to know this is how they’ll sound live, or even acoustic in your living room. This is a trio that makes music because it made them. Let’s take a look at Pearls.

As you hear with the opening track, it is a welcoming embellishment of well composed chords. They aren’t performed as chords, but a detailed canvas for the lyrics. The slide guitar and vocals instantly catch your attention, as filigree protrusions from the fabric you feel. Price Jones doesn’t hold back, her vocals are for the song alone. Modulating, flowing and subversively changing with the tones, this is the opening this album deserves. 

You heard them for the first time, and tried to put them in a box. Crime shows Roxercat love every genre just enough to swim in it. With a funky bass groove unfolding the song, you hear the blues you missed. Price changes her voice to a rougher, more Janis like sound for this track. The licks are exquisite, and the phrasing is unique, something you can hear only experienced musicians make. 

The songs that make us

Baby I Tried is a beautifully composed ballad styled track. Once again, you can hear the licks having the jazz influences of Stan Lassiter. This concoction is almost dazzling, you can hear how the levels and quality of the track is elevated with such sharp and specific playing. The solos really bring the fairy dust to a psychedelic track like this. I Will Not Lie gives us an intro unlike any other. The synths dance as background elements, while the guitar sings its maladies. Though a commonly heard chord progression makes this track, it is Price Jones’ vocal choices that make it an enchanting listen. It is a gorgeous ensemble of parts, you can see the artwork become a whole, one piece at a time.

These songs organically build, creating from a low tide, a surfing wave. That is how music should elevate, deteriorate, respect and imitate life. Roxercat ensure each song is an experience unlike any other. I Changed Today uses a quicker blues tune to bring spice to this track. The synths are really the edge, I loved the tone, against the texture of the overdrive guitars. The riff in the middle of the chorus might be my favourite of the year.

Through music, we heal

It would only do justice to end in retrospect. 2020 closes this album like the melancholic phase that we could never understand. Just like the reason, the song is an enigma, in feelings, sounds and layers. The recherché solo that opens it shifts to a rock swing, completely twisting the fabric of what might be. A pastiche of all the overlays, it is undoubtedly the masterpiece of the album, and the fitting way to end it.

You might have never heard of Roxercat, and you heard them here today. From a selection of tones to confounding melodies that tug at your heart, this band brings music from soul to soul. As musicians, they create what is a culmination of experiences, time and relationships to this opening EP. Movies like Cadillac Records would do justice to this kind of superb soundtrack prepared from memories. Check out this band and follow them for more great music!