Short Cuts: The Dark Monarchy - “Solitaire”

The lead-off single from the Dark Monarchy’s new album, Weight Of The World, doesn’t pull any punches.

Joe Bailey and Mark Anthony K deliver a vibrant opening salvo with their single “Solitaire.” The song, sung by Bailey, continues the sonic progression from the duo’s excellent 2020 self-titled debut. Bailey and K hit hard with multi-layered guitars, propulsive bass, and aggressive drumming. Bailey, who handles the majority of the lyrics on the song, goes for a rather direct approach:

“Metastasizing panic in these veins, I’ve bastardized uneasiness within.

Anesthetized and paralyzed, demoralized.

Bereft of faith in anything, under the weight of everything.

Wait for me a minute; I'll scream your prayers and hope they have been heard.”

Mark Anthony K gets plenty of space to stretch with expansive guitar solos incorporated with Bailey’s piano and synthesizer touches.

Look for the entire album on July 1. The single can be purchased via Bandcamp: https://thedarkmonarchy.bandcamp.com/track/solitaire.