The Heard

        
Tweet

Email

Print
Share

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

The Heard

St. Louis' Foxing return to sellout crowd in Orlando with new next-level look

Posted By Bao Le-Huu on Tue, Sep 11, 2018 at 7:00 AM

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Foxing at the Social

THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND
Foxing, Ratboys and Kississippi, The Social, Sep. 9

St. Louis breakout Foxing is not your dad’s emo. Although similarly oriented, their music is on another plane of ambition altogether. Unafraid to indulge in things like math-y intricacy, orchestral flourishes, post-rock expanse and post-hardcore torque, they’ve been making a progressive campaign this decade to transcend convenient genre boxes.

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Foxing at the Social

But finally, with their freshly released third album Nearer My God, they’ve taken a quantum leap to an entirely new stratosphere with a sophisticated pop-smart sound that’s a thing of craft and grandeur.

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Foxing at the Social

Delivered live by a full six-member band, their lush indie rock has now thrown the doors wide open with the enhanced possibilities of electronics. And with that expansion, their music doesn’t just do basic soul purging anymore. It works pathos with exceptional dynamism and a vivid sense of climax, riding all the slick tension like a rocket into the heavens.

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Foxing at the Social

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Foxing at the Social

In their latest work, Foxing’s horizon just got a lot broader and brighter. With their new look and sellout draw, they’re looking a lot like a rising star that’s only just beginning to show its potential for the big time.

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Foxing at the Social

But beyond the drama and dazzle, a righteous city-specific aspect of Foxing’s latest show here was giving some stage time to crucial Orlando LGBTQ+ youth assistance group Zebra Coalition. Great local respect there.

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Ratboys at the Social

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Ratboys at the Social

Chicago openers Ratboys specialize in a sound that sits at an interesting and somewhat unlikely intersection of indie and country. Unfortunately, their twang wasn’t as discernible live as it is on record. But with a thick, motoring guitar drive that’s a proud extension of classic, brawny ‘90s indie rock, their shining fundamentals were on full display in a performance of muscle and melody.

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Ratboys at the Social

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Ratboys at the Social

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Ratboys at the Social

Unlike Foxing’s phenomenon, the triumph of Ratboys is in their economy and precision. When done just right, focus is as virtuous as any high concept. And Ratboys do perfectly pitched indie rock that shoots straight and lovely with tune, integrity and power.

click to enlarge

Megan Thompson
Kississippi

Also making a resounding opening statement were Kississippi, the full-band vehicle for Philadelphia artist Zoë Reynolds. Played live with fidelity and gusto by a quintet, their music is plush, feeling guitar pop that’s airy and sparkling but substantial. It’s the kind of quality, heartfelt indie rock that positions Reynolds well as a notable young contemporary of the Crutchfield sisters and their bright class.

Follow Bao on Twitter (@baolehuu)
Email Bao: baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com

Tags: foxing, ratboys, kississippi, zebra coalition, this little underground, the heard, orlando music news, orlando concerts, orlando shows, orlando music, bao le-huu, jen cra, Image

We welcome readers to submit letters regarding articles and content in Orlando Weekly. Letters should be a minimum of 150 words, refer to content that has appeared on Orlando Weekly, and must include the writer's full name, address, and phone number for verification purposes. No attachments will be considered. Writers of letters selected for publication will be notified via email. Letters may be edited and shortened for space.

Email us at feedback@orlandoweekly.com.

Support Local Journalism.
Join the Orlando Weekly Press Club

Local journalism is information. Information is power. And we believe everyone deserves access to accurate independent coverage of their community and state. Our readers helped us continue this coverage in 2020, and we are so grateful for the support.

Help us keep this coverage going in 2021. Whether it's a one-time acknowledgement of this article or an ongoing membership pledge, your support goes to local-based reporting from our small but mighty team.

Join the Orlando Weekly Press Club for as little as $5 a month.