For the fans of the band Rosetta West, you are all in luck because, on January 16, 2025, this artist released their newest collection entitled “Night’s Cross.”. As someone who has a background in this artist’s music through their previous releases, this newest album bears a special element for its fans to enjoy, and it’s probably because of the dynamics that the artist included in the whole package of this collection. Night’s Cross is not something that’s sunshine and rainbows; for lack of a better description, this collection carries its own weight—not too morbid, worry not! This is a collection that, if it suits your preference, it’s something that you’d definitely enjoy.
Rosetta West has definitely upped their game with this release because their dynamic blend of blues, Romani folk, and the heavy influence of rock was perfectly delivered on this collection. It might not be perfect to some, but its imperfections make it more relatable, unique, and authentic; it makes this whole collection feel human.
Opening the whole collection is the track “Save Me,” and boy, this one sure would grab your full attention immediately because of its rock n roll vibe. The strong twang and riffs of the guitar, along with the vocalist’s raspy voice for the performance, brought the notch up in terms of intensity. Undeniably, this track is the perfect introduction for the whole track, carrying a hook that would make you want to listen for more.
“Suzie” comes in with its slow, steady build-up, brought by the clean and heavy bassline accentuated by the subtle twangs of guitar in the background as the vocalist comes in. Sure enough, this groovy and bluesy track will energize you upon listening, as you’ll feel the energy course through your veins as you go along listening to this track. Moreover, this track will make you feel as if you are in a jam session; it is effortless and honest, just like how most of us liked it.
Following this is another track called “Dora Lee” that introduces a more folk and country sound to the whole collection. This song opens with prominent country-sounding guitar strums that are definitely catchy, followed by those hard-hitting drums that give the whole song a strong energy pump. On this track, the vocals are fiery and raw with emotion, which gives off an unapologetic and strong vibe brought by a strong performance that sure will keep you seated.
Now, with the track that I find most interesting, “Diana” and its completely different vibe. First off, this track is eerie. Maybe because of the great combination of deep acoustic strums and quiet thump of drums that creates this most haunting sound that translates into the whole vibe of the track. This one is a bit slower than the rest of the songs in the collection making this piece feel like a genuine cinematic moment as you listen. And to continue the fun with percussion, “You’ll Be The Death of Me” comes in next with its production that is full of life. Maybe it’s the frustration that the artist felt upon performing this song that makes this whole piece energetic and packed with suppressed emotions. This piece is great as each element featured on this track – from each beat and note — fits together so perfectly like puzzle pieces, making this whole listening experience satisfying.
Spirit is something that is very potent for this album, and with “Alligator Farm” what more is best to describe this piece than that? I could honestly conjure up an image in my head of a wild country brawl in the West as I listen to this track. The energy is insane, and unmistakably the artist’s deep country roots and clear understanding of rock made this piece stand out from the rest. And as I listen to the rest of the album, each track featured has a highlight that you should check out when you check this whole project up. “Cold Winter Moon” has its chilling vibe paired with its well-written lyrics, along with the track “Oh Death” which’s like a lullaby dedicated to death itself; “Ready to Go” that is packed with some energy punch, “Baby Doll” and its classic rock in roll vibe and finally, “Underground Again” as its perfect closing curtain. All these are enjoyable listens so it is essential to give these your full attention too!
In the end, Rosetta West’s Night Cross showcased their growth in terms of musicality and artistry. It is apparent that they have improved and come back with pure and gritty rock n roll. I personally like and appreciate how each of the tracks on this collection felt and sounded different from the next. Not only does it showcase the diverse skill set that this artist has, but it also showcases their confidence to skip and jump between genres to give their listeners something great. Rosetta West has already polished his style and established his identity, and it is clear that this project is something you wouldn’t regret listening to.
So, don’t you dare miss it. Check out Night’s Cross on Spotify! Follow Rosetta West!
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About the Author
Born and raised in one of the 7000-ish islands in the Philippines, a self-proclaimed professional fangirl, with a degree in Biology. She probably annoy the people around her so much for not speaking and speaking too much. A frustrated writer, yes!
