Some albums don’t just play music; oftentimes, especially the best kinds of music take you on a journey of sorts. Like, you know that feeling when you put on an album and, within seconds, you just know exactly what you’re in for? Night’s Cross by Rosetta West is one of those records, roaring to life with molasses-like sludgy guitar riffs, soulful vocals, and the kind of storytelling that make Southern rock so distinct. This album doesn’t ease you in at all—it kicks down the door, slaps a bottle of whiskey into your hand and grunts charmingly before launching into an onslaught of twangy guitar licks and unapologetic Southern rock bravado with hints of Romani folk music that gives the twelve tracks on this project a league of its own. From start to finish, this album is a heartfelt masterpiece, packed with energy, emotion, and an undeniable sense of authenticity. And honestly? It rules.
What makes Night’s Cross so special is its ability to honor tradition while still feeling fresh. Every song is crafted with care, blending powerful instrumentation with lyrics that paint vivid pictures of distant people turning into memories, heartaches and wisdom earned the hard way. The band’s chemistry is undeniable, and their passion for the music shines through on every track.
Right out of the gate, Save Me goes off with a driving beat and soaring guitar harmonies that immediately pull you in. It’s got all the hallmarks of a great Southern rock opener—big riffs, bigger hooks, and a chorus that begs to be sung at full volume. It’s loud, it’s fast, and it has exactly the kind of “driving-down-a-backroad” energy that Southern rock thrives on. The guitar harmonies are so tight they might as well be conjoined and the chorus? Infectious, to the point of contagious; You’ll be singing it whether you want to or not.
The band doesn’t let up from there, rolling seamlessly into Suzie, a blues-soaked anthem that showcases their knack for heartfelt storytelling. The raw emotion in the vocals, paired with a really sticky guitar riff make it a standout moment on the album. If I can be crass, this sounds like a song written specifically for the moment in a movie where the protagonist stares into a shot glass and reflects on all his life choices before launching into some horrifically detailed exposition dump as he hunches over his meal, and I mean that in the best way. It’s bluesy, it’s dramatic and it sets the album’s other strength up really well; a fascination for macabre songwriting that manages to keep a foot away from full somber tones.
Another album highlight, Cold Winter Moon is a moody, atmospheric masterpiece, balancing grit and melody with haunting slow-plucked guitar chords and a chorus that lingers long after the song ends. It’s impressive how when this track starts, things take a turn into moody Southern gothic territory with an emphasis on atmosphere. It’s like if Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers had a baby, and that baby grew up in a haunted bar. Meanwhile, You’ll Be The Death of Me cranks up the tempo with an electrifying groove that feels like a lost classic from the golden age of Southern rock. Lastly, Desperation sounds almost tribal with its vocal harmony and it would be a favourite, were it not for a nitpick I’ll get into shortly.
A big part of Night’s Cross’s charm is its homespun, raw production. You can hear the room this was recorded in, from the slightly overdriven amp hum to the barely-contained chaos of the solos, and it gives the album a warmth that a lot of overproduced, hyper-polished rock records lack. There’s a realness here, like you’re sitting in on a couple elders sharing stories over a campfire, one beer away from making terrible choices while this band plays five feet away from you. But that DIY approach is a double-edged sword—while the guitars and vocals all hit with the kind of dirty, unpolished energy you want from Southern rock, the percussion sometimes feels like it’s just there. The drumming is solid, don’t get me wrong, but a few moments, like the drums on Desperation, are begging for more weight, more punch, something that makes you feel it in your bones. It’s not a dealbreaker, but you can’t help but wonder how much harder these tracks would hit if the kick drum was rattling your speakers just a little more.
So, is Night’s Cross reinventing the genre? Not really. But it’s loud, it’s soulful, it’s admittedly self-indulgent in all the right ways of the sound. If you love Southern rock, Night’s Cross is a must-listen. It’s bold, heartfelt, and packed with the kind of spirit that makes this genre so enduring.
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About the Author
A tenured media critic known working as a ghost writer, freelance critic for publications in the US and former lead writer of Atop The Treehouse. Reviews music, film and TV shows for media aggregators.
