A sharp, slick groove.
Some songs are built around circular endlessly compelling melodies, the type of catchiness that feels like you could listen to forever. “Cut Me Off” by Madeline Kenney is centered around such a riff, with just a few simple notes sounding both mechanical and warm. You could probably write 50 great songs around it.
But for Kenney, she uses it as a basis for a midtempo dance tune with lovely vocal harmonies that lets disparate musical elements float in and out as needed. So even with such a steady rhythm at the core of the tune, there is plenty here to perk your ears and keep your attention. Such as, the dreampop bridge that floats freely for a moment before heading back to Earth.
“Cut Me Off” is off Kenney’s upcoming album, Perfect Shapes, out on Oct. 5.