It is not simple to categorize Rum Buffalo, an 8-piece band that finds its sound by pushing the boundaries of what they can accomplish. Their songs unfurl like the evil twin of the bustling London metropolis that birthed them—vivid, energetic, and unpredictable.
Their forthcoming album, Bloodmoon, is their most ambitious work to date: tracked in ten days at a converted barn in the countryside of Wales, the record burns with the limitless creativity of the individuals who make up the project. A raucous horn section and fervid beats propel the songs forward, while a haunting, women-led chorus of almost mythical proportions cackles, sings, and shouts throughout the album. Led by the magnetic Jake Stevens, Rum Buffalo creates a landscape that knows no bounds, a quality that is mirrored in Stevens’ songwriting.
With charisma, Rum Buffalo invites their audiences to join them on a wild odyssey through their album, an experience that is undeniably inviting. It is perhaps this same reason that the band has been able to exist for as long as it has.
The talents of the Rum Buffalo crew are on full display on the single “Dark Mountain”, which Glide is excited to premiere. The song merges sci-fi with fiery pop-rock. Backed by a thunderous beat, a heavy guitar riff, and a funky horn section, the song Stevens imbues his fantastical world with equal parts soul and grit as he spins the tale of a group of miners on a mountain working beneath the command of a malevolent duke. This conceptual and delightfully strange lyrical story lends itself to the powerful groove. The harmonizing help of a 13-person choir adds to the band’s massive sound and the anthemic chorus. Reminiscent of the Black Keys’ arena-ready retro rock while also incorporating funk and soul, the song feels radio-ready. It’s impressive that the band is able to turn such a bizarre storyline into such a catchy song.
Front man Jake Stevens shares his own perspective on the process behind the song:
“Aliens in mountains is what this song’s about in a nut shell. What more could you want? This track is part of our debut album, Bloodmoon, which we are hugely excited about because it’s been so long in the making. We have kind of gone all out on this record and Dark Mountain represents that. We got to work with 13 of our favourite female vocalists, most of whom front their own projects, that you will hear featured on this track.”
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For more music and info visit rumbuffalo.com.
Photo credit: Rah Petherbridge
