B-Side Guys

Katie Cruel’s “Calling Out Your Name,” a standout track from her album “Lost Vagus,” is a poignant encapsulation of her unique blend of singer-songwriter craftsmanship, Americana, and dream pop. The song, recorded with the Grammy-winning engineer and producer Mark Howard, showcases an intoxicating collection of love songs tinged with both resignation and vulnerability. Cruel, taking her name from the centuries-old traditional folk song “Katie Cruel,” infuses “Calling Out Your Name” with a depth of emotion and a sense of timelessness that resonates deeply with listeners.

The track weaves a tapestry of personal introspection and historical continuity, echoing the feelings of countless women across time. Cruel’s voice, imbued with loss and longing, carries the weight of the song’s narrative – a story of distrust in one’s desires and the pursuit of self-identity. “I stood in front of Nancy Sinatra’s dad’s microphone, and when Mark said go, I just performed them,” reflects Cruel, highlighting the raw, unfiltered nature of the recording process. This authenticity is palpable throughout “Calling Out Your Name,” which eschews digital manipulation for a more organic, live-off-the-floor sound.

“Calling Out Your Name” is characterized by its lyrical honesty and musical simplicity. Lyrics such as “Ya I know, I’ve heard it all before. The best way to get over you is take another on the floor” and “Oh man, I’ll never be the cool girl, I’ll always seem insane” showcase Cruel’s ability to articulate complex emotions in a relatable way. The song’s production, a collaboration between Cruel and Howard, creates a spacious and open soundscape, allowing the intimacy and tension of the music to be fully experienced. The presence of Cruel’s antique 1937 Gibson L-00 adds a historical dimension to the music, bridging past and present in a harmonious blend.

“Lost Vagus” as an album, and “Calling Out Your Name” in particular, stand as testaments to the enduring power of music to convey the most profound truths of human experience. With Cruel at the forefront, the album serves as a vessel, transporting listeners to a place where past and present coexist in a serene, ethereal realm. “Calling Out Your Name” is not only a reflection of Katie Cruel’s artistic identity but also an exploration of the universal themes of love, loss, and the quest for self-discovery. Through this track, Cruel invites listeners into her world, offering a glimpse into the cosmic ease with which these songs came together, and highlighting the mysterious ways the world responds to our unasked questions.