We Speak Music
Argo and the Violet Queens distill their electrifying psych-rock chemistry into new single ‘Casablanca’
Argo and the Violet Queens are a psychedelically driven band based out of Washington DC, who aim to synthesize and reimagine the 20th century’s most pre-eminent genres in a modern setting. Sonically, all four members make unique contributions to the band’s sound, from their implementation of seventies dance sensibilities, abstract auditory textures, and rhythmic flourishes informed by jazz tradition, the band maintains an open canvas for their eclectic influences to take form.
A guiding ethos for Argo and the Violet Queens comes from the band’s deliberate explorations of contexts in which dance music has previously flourished. By drawing comparisons with our current moment, Argo and the Violet Queens create the conditions for critical reflections of social issues to occur in tandem with celebrations of resilience and community. Ultimately, though, Argo and the Violet Queens make killer psychedelic-rock tracks which hold a mirror up to the listener, allowing one to engage with sonic worlds that are pensive, and hopeful in equal measure.
When writing and recording their new single ‘Casablanca’, Argo and the Violet Queens took inspiration from Peter Jackson’s Beatles documentary ‘Get Back’ and sat down together in the studio as a full band as if they were going to perform live. No separation, no over-dubs or studio trickery, just the refreshing raw electrifying energy and of a band that have grown up together, playing together.
One of three live studio recordings the band completed in the last days of 2025, ‘Casablanca’ is a potent distillation of the chemistry Argo and the Violet Queens have developed over three tours, over 65 live shows and countless hours spent rehearsing that year.
Argo and the Violet Queens wrote ‘Casablanca’ as an outlet for expressing personal grievances with mass consumerism of art and media, and the resulting alienation from one’s peers that it may cause. Following suit with their musical ethos, the song seeks to blend elements of bossa nova with classic indie structures to create a compelling sonic context in which these themes are explored.
On the track, frontman Arav Goswami said, “I wrote this song two years ago now in just an afternoon. It was mid-winter and the usual trappings of long, isolated months indoors were beginning to take their toll. Through my consumption of media and other not so savoury things, a potent sense of disconnection from the world and those around me began to take form. I wrote ‘Casablanca’ from a sort of mixed view on the matter. On one hand, the comfort and ease of staying in, avoiding people, and remaining entrenched in harmful habits was something I didn’t necessarily want to let go of. Like watching a movie that totally allows you to forget the realities of your own life, it was addicting to stay in the sort of dreamland those months had brought about. On the other hand, a deep sense of yearning to reengage, to make the hard decisions and break these habits was beginning to present itself as well. That’s what the song is about really in my mind.”
Through abstract lyricisms and an inviting blend of analog warmth, ‘Casablanca’ puts listeners in a world of escapism and false hope for the deceptive comforts it may bring. Gradually building from unsuspecting beginnings into a massive crescendo, the band goes on a journey filled with quiet reservations and pleas for company, eventually confronting the futility of such feelings when held against a backdrop of self-deceit and refusal to change. As the music grows so too does the intensity until a final, belting climax brings these emotions to a head, eventually culminating in a determined and impactful ending.
Swiss artist Fanny Alexandra returns with “Black Pearl Summer”, a new single that finds her exploring a more open side of her alternative sound. Released via Now Listen, the track combines coastal imagery with a story about growing through grief, pressure and the experiences that can shape a person over time.
Alexandra notes that the song is relatively summery by her own standards. She has said that her music is usually darker and that she has never been particularly drawn to the typical idea of summer, preferring cold air, jackets and rugged coastlines. That gives the release a clear sense of personality from the outset.
The song centres on Alexandra’s reflections on being 19 and spending years focused on survival rather than fully living. Those experiences are presented through the image of a black pearl, which becomes a way of considering how something worthwhile can emerge from a challenging period.
What makes the track particularly effective is the balance between its subject matter and its musical approach. The production gives the song room to breathe, while Alexandra keeps the focus firmly on the story she is telling. It means the track can be enjoyed as a seasonal release while still offering more to discover in the lyrics.
There is also a clear sense of change in the way Alexandra approaches her younger self. The song is not about returning to that period or trying to erase it. Instead, it considers what can be learned from experiences that once felt overwhelming.
“Black Pearl Summer” therefore offers newcomers a useful introduction to Alexandra’s work. It shows an artist comfortable writing about serious subjects, while also demonstrating a lighter musical side that may not be as familiar to listeners who know her darker material.
It is an interesting glimpse of what Alexandra can do when she lets a little more light into the picture.
-
We Speak Music1 week agoADRIANNA Gets Two Very Different Lives From ‘Power Back’
-
We Speak Music1 week agoB BWOY BILLO AND MÖ THA TRUTH BRING EMOTION, BARS AND BROTHERHOOD TO GHANA’S RAP FUTURE
-
We Speak Business5 days agoFunl Raises $2.5 Million at a $10 Million Post-Money Valuation to Transform How Creators Bring Events to Life
-
We Speak Hip-Hop6 days agoGhost Da Lyrical returns with Taylor Made Ghost