The Song

“GOLD” is the culmination of a song series begun during the pandemic, which found songwriter Haley Bowery deep in a esoteric rabbithole (like everyone else, right?) of alchemy, antiquity, mystery cults, and Carl Jung. A big stomping glam rock anthem in the vein of T.Rex and Bowie, “GOLD” is an explainer on the spiritual alchemical process: to burn, to purge, to cry, baby, to die: that’s how we turn into gold. The chorus takes a surprising spin into a funky disco riff with the ecstatic exclamation of the precious metal we all have the potential to become, if only we’re willing to be transformed by the power of “the sweat and the tears and vibration” at a rock and roll show. Clearly longing to experience that catharsis again (in the dark and dull final stretch before venues reopened), Bowery tells us it’s the only religion she can get behind, positing herself as the swaggering, godlike figure to lead the movement.

With dueling vocals reminiscent of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Bowery and Michael Jayne command us through the driving, bombastic bridge: “fuck with our brightness, we’re richer than Midas”. It’s an ambitious song— irresistibly danceable, laden with clever puns on both alchemy and its glam rock inspirations, genuinely heavy in the post-bridge breakdown guitar solo, and serves as a complete artist statement for a group that loves to play on the border of ‘party band’ and ‘cosmic philosopher occultists’. You can hear the hunger to play this song live, and how it could serve as a glittering initiation rite in the beer-soaked altar of the tiny rock club, made enormous by the energy created within it. Only a haunting, monk-like choir remains as the song fades out, inviting us to follow, to experience, to transform, if we dare.

CREDITS

“GOLD” was produced by Ben Schrier and recorded at NES Sound in Peekskill, NY. The track features Haley Bowery (lead vocals), Michael Jayne (lead guitar, vocals), Chris Sayre (guitar, vocals), Jack Breslin (bass), Trevor Walker (drums), and Zoe Briskey (synths).

Music & lyrics by Haley Bowery and arranged by The Manimals.

Single art by Haley Bowery.

It will be released everywhere on May 13, with a release party to follow on Friday May 16 at The Manimals’ home base, Club Cumming.

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The Band

The Manimals are not a cult- they’re just a regular New York City band teaching their acolytes how to find transcendence at the rock gig, of course. They have been making uniquely genre-fluid music since 2011, but its hallmarks include big pop hooks, messy punk attitude, and glam rock spectacle. Inspired in equal parts by David Bowie and Kesha, horror movies and drag queens, myths and psychedelia, they live somewhere between deeply stupid and absolutely genuine. Led by the irrepressibly entertaining Haley Bowery (who is often covered in blood), The Manimals are a party and a queer fever dream wrapped in a messiah complex (but in a fun way!)