The Slowdown

The Slowdown is a Kansas City-based alternative rock/pop band led by multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer Sam Hoskins. The band is supported by seasoned Kansas City musicians: Josh Johnson - Guitars/Keys Jordan Smith - Bass/Backing Vocals The 2017 release from Slowdown, Summer.Snow. finds the band in a matured headspace filled with heavy contemplation and dark premonition. The opening track “You Gave Me Life” sets the tone for the third Slowdown album, dripping with neo-western dystopian vibe. Sam Hoskins’ rich baritone croons over a smooth and brooding groove, conjuring images of dream-like horseback riding on the blood red surface of Mars. Upbeat yet melancholy “Lets Go” reveals a story of blame, resentment, lost love, and divorce. The lush wide keyboards, driving guitars, and cavernous background vocals of “Happy Gun” present a darkly vivid apocalyptic MadMax-like landscape. The album picks up midway with a strong and dense rocker “Experiments at Home” filled with infectious guitar riffs and a steady downbeat. The lyrics, “Ever get the feeling in sleep that you have been running?” reveal the paranoia and unrest of Summer.Snow. “Life of a Ghost” begins with an ominous sample from the Woody Allen movie “Manhattan” then segues into a spaghetti western guitar intro for full on new age cinematic cowboy psychedelia. The lyrics, “To feel someone at your side, only to sleep alone tonight” begin the somber yet glorious finale. Two tracks “Look Older” and “Wait to See it Over” are seamlessly conjoined as a beautiful heart-wrenching call for the endurance of our unavoidable sufferings that come with age. While the third Slowdown album Summer.Snow. is not exactly the soundtrack for your next house party, it is a challenging and engaging album meant to be heard as a whole. Summer.Snow. is an honest and heavy-hearted portrayal of the continual and inevitable struggle, amidst the unpredictable and unmerciful environment, to hold on to the happiness and wonder of life. A melodic, Western Psychedelia outfit from Kansas City, MO