review

Self-described as “a sultry marriage of disparate genres”, Rue Bella hails from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. After the lead vocalist was recruited by the bassist’s mother, the band found their chemistry through jamming together and Rue Bella was founded. The band would find success the following year. They won Rock 95’s Local & Loud 2016 competitions, going on to play legendary venues like The Horseshoe Tavern, Lee’s Palace, and Mavricks Music Hall opening for such acts as The Trews and Finger Eleven. That same year, they recorded their self-titled EP at their own studio and released it to critical success.

The band is Taylor Cos – Vocals, Piano, Synth; Brandon Webb – Guitar, Vocals; Adam Clark – Bass, Backing Vocals; Clint Delbrocco – Drums 

Flirt with the Dirt is the band’s first full-length album, produced in part by John-Angus MacDonald (guitarist for The Trews), and Rue Bella, that fuses alt-rock, 90s grunge, and jazz with a darkness. This album is not only angsty and fierce, it rages and kicks ass while taking down names with finesse. Fueled by the sultry, haunting lead vocals of Taylor Cos, each edgy song will hold you in its hypnotic grip.

Leading right out of the gate is the standout hard-rocking, high energy track ‘Burn My Home’. Feeling lyrically like love gone haywire, the song itself doesn’t. The ferocious guitar, heavy drums, and bright piano combination explodes from the opening notes and doesn’t let you come up for air until it’s over. There are soft, subtle background vocals that add a distinctive haunted flavor into the mix. Taylor’s powerful vocals, with commanding phrasing of the edgy lyrics and her most notable wailing toward the ending, is the gasoline that fuels this song. Dancing to this one is unavoidable.            

Not slowing down after the opener, another standout track is the brilliant ‘Piggy’ that is lyrically clever and dark. This song of lover’s betrayal doesn’t surrender to the usual boring outcome. It begins innocently with a playful carnival melody alternating on horn and piano before launching into a driving, foot stomping, hands-in-the-air fun fest. By the time the chorus arrives, you’ll be loudly and enthusiastically singing/shouting right along, “I got a number for you”. The interlude’s eerily menacing circus melody feels like the betrayer is walking in tandem on a high wire, just barely hanging on, and then abruptly they fall, brought down by their own lies. But Piggy doesn’t care; she’s “got a number for you.”  Hit repeat, play on this one.

‘Something Witchy’ is a slow-burning, jazz flavored track. It opens with a heavy drum and piano introduction that lays down the foundation. The chorus is punctuated by a complementary tight horn section. The dark lyrics tell a tale about one lover putting on a facade to fool the other who thinks they know what’s going on. Taylor teases out the story with her seductive vocals that lure you in from the start and will ultimately cast a witchy spell over you.

The ballad-style track, ‘Reason’ has Taylor and guitarist Brandon Webb team up for a duet. The partially dominating piano is bright and airy, accompanied by a heavy melody that mirrors the lyrics. Taylor and Brandon’s unique voices blend together effortlessly with a smoothness during the chorus and as they trade off the lead vocal singing to each other.  They bring out the accusatory yet painful realness of the words lamenting the reasons why a relationship has broken down. The song fades out with the eerie notes of a synth that feel like they’re taunting you.

Packing a punch is the track, ’Socialites’. Opening with a grunge heavy bass loop, the song builds with Taylor’s powerful vocals that expound on the visual lyrics of fighting the feeling of going down when you don’t get what you want. The chorus showcases her wailing that hits the ceiling as she stretches out each word with an undercurrent of rage just simmering under the surface until the very end. Singing along will likely cost you a lung.

 ‘Come As You Are’ is a cover of Nirvana’s angsty grunge anthem with a strikingly fresh slowed down arrangement. The track opens with bright piano notes and you’re fooled into thinking this just might be a solo piano piece. But then soft drums, and a sorrowful cello ease in and they beautifully creep along together until halfway through the song, when a subtle guitar is added to the mix. The trio then trades off with the solo piano. The haunting lyrics are dripping in Taylor’s emotional vocals as she caresses every word invoking a strong feeling of sadness. When the final solo piano notes close out the song, they hang in the air with a finality.

Rounding out this exceptional album is ‘Red Room’, ‘Black Solitaire’, ‘DFA’, ‘Got Lost’, and ‘Loud Mouth’.  

Rue Bella definitely have a chemistry and talent that can’t be denied. Flirt with the Dirt is a strong, impressive first full-length album and it should be on your ‘must check out’ list.

Very Highly Recommended.  Go grab this essential album on Bandcamp and iTunes.

Upcoming tour news and more: www.ruebellamusic.com

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Facebook: weareruebella

Instagram: @ruebellaband

Twitter: @ruebellaband

YouTube Channel: Rue Bella