From the dark and industrial-tinted opening notes of “I Know Who You Are,” it’s clear that Queen Kwong‘s new album comes from a place that’s intensely personal and equally powerful. Throughout eleven tracks, Queen Kwong (née Carré Kwong Callaway) unleashes a visceral howl of pain, rage, grief, sorrow, and ultimately, closure. It’s the soundtrack to the longest night of your life, the one that continues to motivate you forward until the first glint of the dawn you never thought would come.
There’s the fury at being wronged on “EDMR ATM” (“Gave up the baby and the home wrecker won / She took the house and you had your fun”), a reflection on the vindictive nature of deceit in “Giver Taker Faker” (“Make me a God, give me your grace / We’ll call it even when you fall on your face”), and the peace that comes with acceptance, as seen on the closer, “Without You, Whatever.” Overall, Couples Only is a stirring experience from start to finish and one that will resonate with anyone who has been cut, scraped, bruised, or beaten (metaphorically or literally) during their journey in life. MORE