Sarah King - 'Nightstand'
Murder ballads have long been a staple of folk culture, and as such, have long been a staple of American folk culture also, with the likes of The Doors and Bob Dylan drawing influence from their often allegorical and always dark narratives.
Though varied in their perspectives and their outcomes, it was rare for the point of view to be sang from a female point of view, so what happens when you flip that perspective on its head?
‘Nightstand’ is what happens.
Born from the frustration of seeing women treated as inferiors in every sense of the word, ‘Nightstand’ is Sarah King’s slow-burning exploration of catharsis manifested in the style of a traditional murder ballad.
Dark and soulful, its understated beginning belies the complexities of its later moments; the rich palette unfurling as the narrative progresses. While the outcome of said narrative might well be predictable, spontaneity is far from at the heart of tradition, and ‘Nightstand’ does indeed feel traditional. Both in the context of King’s blues and soul influences, and when it comes to the conventions of a murder ballad.
From the gospel-esque harmonies, to the woozy guitars, religious imagery, and the pervading scent of whisky, there’s a sense of familiarity present across the single’s runtime, offset perfectly by the welcome change of perspective.
Gender politics aside however, and the appeal of ‘Nightstand’ lies very much in its subtle and insidious nature. Much like its protagonist, it lulls its listeners into a false sense of security before striking, revealing its nuances and intricacies as the narrative itself blows wide open. A welcome 21st century update to a genre that predates most.
Words of Dave Beech