The Melancholy Kings – Her Favorite Disguise
Her Favourite Disguise is a straightforward, smart record that combines classic British rock melodies with American punk anger. Ray Ketchem, who has previously worked with Guided by Voices, Luna, and Gramercy Arms, produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered the album at Magic Door Recording Studio in Montclair, New Jersey. Ketchem’s production gives the record a warm, analogue feel while keeping its hard edges and lyrical impact alive. Elk City soprano Reneé LoBue, accordionist Carl Riehl, and Ketchem himself on percussion provide “invisible” depth without crushing the core band sound. The album’s style is obviously influenced by bands such as The Jam, The Knack, The Who, and Badfinger, with strong, punk-inspired rhythms balanced against classic rock songwriting. The first track “Six Feet Down” directly defines this duality, combining harsh, darkly ironic lyrics with an arrangement that recalls The Who’s dramatic vocal phrasing and dynamic drive, as well as traces of Eric Burdon. Despite these obvious touchstones, the song develops its own musical personality, making it familiar and unique. Throughout the album, The Melancholy Kings have a remarkable awareness of contrast. “New Girl” is an acoustic ballad with semi-psychedelic elements and a nostalgic warmth that recalls late-1960s folk-pop. “Kensington” expands the musical spectrum even further, developing as a sad ballad shaped by Americana roots and folk elements, with a melody that offers a gentle feeling of sadness and mindfulness. Tracks like “Bitcoin Elegy” and “Astor Place” explore modern disillusionment, combining observational lyrics with tight, minimalist orchestration. The album concludes with the short but moving “The Cold Side of the Pillow,” a dark, quiet finale that perfectly sums up the record’s worldview: tired, self-aware, and emotionally precise. Her Favourite Disguise, as a whole, is an album that rewards thorough listening, smartly written, musically strong, and rooted in rock heritage but not restricted by it.
photo by Carlo Cipriani
https://melancholykings.bandcamp.com
