“KHS” by Night Cruise - A Song Feature

 

     “KHS” is both a display of a band’s passion for their craft and a presentation of the willingness to outdistance expectations in composing a single. The intricacies and diversity of the song from Night Cruise argue against any assertion that “KHS” effortlessly fell into place. The first 30 seconds are sufficient to prove that point. The song begins with percussive drive as a foundation for 1980s video game music (“chiptune”-esque electronica). A powerful synth hook soon enters to carry the listener to the vocals. Still within the initial 30 seconds, the vocals and a guitar take a call-and-respond approach.
 
      “KHS” stands on its own, but the respect that Night Cruise holds for Steely Dan is on full display. In particular, the guitar-driven bridge that begins shortly after the 3-minute mark seemingly channels Steely Dan. Yet, there are appealing characteristics of “KHS” that are foreign to any single from the extensive discography of the Walter Becker/Donald Fagen band.
 
     Night Cruise includes a pair of skilled vocalists. In “KHS,” Sariah Mae handles the lead vocals. The voice of guitarist Micah Keren-Zvi primarily provides harmonization, although he temporally takes the reigns as lead. The other contributor to the song are Tyler Cash (keys), Keith Karmen (bass), Mike Greene (aka Mike G.) (drums), and Peter Gonzales (production, engineering, mixing, mastering).
 
      The band is based in the Los Angeles area and is represented by Green Galactic. “KHS” is describes as “a riffy, grooving single from jazz rock outfit Night Cruise. Chunky synthesizers and phasing guitars drip with retro color, conjuring images of driving down Sunset Boulevard with the windows down and the radio up.”
 
     “KHS” is the first of five songs from the upcoming self-titled EP of Night Cruise. The EP will be released via Garden Broom Recordings. Micah Keren-Zvi and Sariah Mae explain that because their band is inspired by late-night “cruises” through Los Angeles, Night Cruise is possessed with a sound that is both modern and antiquated—showcasing meticulous production with complex and harmonically-rich songs that bear a resemblance to the music of Steely Dan and Talking Heads. The lyrical narrative is closely connected to the city itself, and to the beautiful and challenging experiences it cultivates. 
 
     “KHS” by Night Cruise

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OnANightCruise
Bandcamp: https://nightcruisemusic.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “KHS” by Night Cruise
My murdered out black bess is a KHS
I ride all over the greatest city in the west
I saw a red tailed hawk on a vision quest
I keep it steady
I see no use in hanging around like I was somebody’s guest
 
I’m gathering speed to slow down my mind
As long as I’m going nowhere I’m gonna be making good time
 
So I empathize with the lost and insane
I’ve got the sky in my mouth I’ve got the wind in my chain
And it’s warm blood running baby through her frame
I keep it steady
I see no use in getting too excited or calling it by name
 
It wasn’t the soundest decision I made
I don’t know where to begin
Don’t put out the candle boys
I’m gonna need it to find my way back in
 
Ain’t got no reason or rhyme
I don’t need money to have a real good time
 
And that bottom line gets pretty low
It’s copacetic
Though I see no use in getting too uptight about what I can’t control
 
I’m gathering speed to slow down my mind
As long as I’m going nowhere I‘m gonna be making good time
 
It wasn’t the soundest position I played
I don’t know where to begin
Don’t put out the candle boys
I’m gonna need it to find my way back in