A captivating alternative gem that beautifully captures the bittersweet emotions that come with change.
Nashville-based rock duo The Criticals—comprised of Parker Forbes and Cole Shugart—have built a reputation for their diverse songwriting and electrifying live shows. Since forming in 2018, they’ve drawn sellout crowds in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and beyond.
Their latest single, “Mother of Style,” is a heartfelt tribute to their beloved Nashville, a city that has seen countless transformations over the years. The band shared on Instagram:
“Our beloved mother of style, Nashville, has gone through many facelifts and small deaths since we first started playing music… Caught in the eye of a nostalgia wave while writing the album, we so often thought of friends, bands, houses that everyone used to party in, and stories upon stories that we all shared for that short-lived time in Nashville together. Mother of Style is yours now.”
Sonically, the track radiates retro rock charm, blending infectious beats with shimmering electric guitar riffs that create a bright, feel-good energy. Lyrically, it captures the melancholic beauty of fleeting moments with lines like:
“Sydney likes to come around when I’m bankrupt on sleep, I’m usually too hungover to eat anything, But it’s her last night in town till Jesus only knows, She’s got a list of memories to capture and expose, And she wants everyone there.”
There’s a bittersweet magic in this song—a celebration of youth, friendships, and the inevitable passage of time. With “Mother of Style,” The Criticals bottle up nostalgia and turn it into an alternative gem that makes you reflect, reminisce, and embrace change.
Press play and let “Mother of Style” take you on a journey through time.
Chicago based writer and creative. Fan of 80’s horror, fancy coffee drinks, and late night drives.
