Today, Brooklyn indie-rock stalwart Drew Citron has released new single/video “Kiss Me”, premiered on BrooklynVegan. The track is the latest offering from her debut solo effort, Free Now, due out October 9 on Park The Van. Free Now is the riotous sonic deliverance of an artist reborn following the break up of her long-term relationship with ex-Beverly bandmate Scott Rosenthal. Backed by gritty guitar riffs, the song is a deep, sonically swooning plea for sparks and excitement in a serious relationship when it is slipping away. Citron says it is, “…about when you’ve been in a relationship so long, you don’t really see the other person and the spark is hard to come by. ‘Kiss me like you’ve never met me,’ is somewhat of a motto for me. If it’s not romance, sparks, excitement, surprise, it’s tough to stick around. As, this was an excuse for me to let the power chords fly on this record. I love a pop-rock behemoth.”
Committed relationships can become fragile shells of bonds once so strong and the accompanying music video brings this sentiment to life. Video director Jenn Freeman shares, “Faced with the limitations of social distancing and minimal bodies on a set we tried to capitalize on the ideas of distance, separation, and memory that are present in the song. Choreographically, social distancing inspired me to approach the “partnered” movement in a new way. How can they seem like they are touching when they aren’t? The dancers are only ever filmed individually. “
Free Now acts as a roadmap to the creative evolution of a performer truly taking ownership of her craft. Drew unveiled lead single “Summertime” with a cinematic ode to King Of New York, receiving acclaim from Stereogum, Jezebel, and Under The Radar. Throughout, the album’s true punk ethos and technical prowess shine through the clouds and rattle the soul. Citron has worked tirelessly over the years to learn every element of the musical process. Collaborating with an extremely talented pool of musicians — Scott Rosenthal, Sam Owens (aka Sam Evian), Tim Wheeler (Ash), John Agnello (Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth, Kurt Vile) and Danny Taylor — she engineered, produced and plays most instruments on the album.
Drew Citron performs in the highly regarded post-punk outfit Public Practice with Scott Rosenthal (Class Actress), with whom she also formed acclaimed band Beverly and opened storied Bushwick music-venue, Alphaville. She got her start as a touring member with Frankie Rose and The Pains of Being Pure of Heart.
