THE MELANCHOLY KINGS – “VICTORIA”
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE
Today we premiere the latest slice of sonic goodness from New Jersey rockers The Melancholy Kings , which comes to us by way of the rather esteemed Magic Door Record Label – you could never go wrong there. The second taste of their coming album Her Favorite Disguise, this song captures the band’s live sound with a refreshing lack of unnecessary overdubs, giving it a vibrant, authentic edge.
‘Victoria’ is a time-capsule track with a timeless message – a perfect, spirited kickback to an era of great guitar music. Here, The Melancholy Kings channel the gritty, melancholic charm of ’90s college rock, staking their claim as the spiritual heirs to Paul Westerberg and Jeff Tweedy. This guitar-driven single, a revamped track from the band’s collective past, jangles with the infectious insouciance of The Replacements while maintaining a sophisticated lyrical core that addresses the need for slowing down and embracing mutual kindness.
The core duo, singer/guitarist Mike Potenza (The Anderson Council, Crash Harmony, BARD, Gramercy Arms) and bassist Scott Selig (Ambulance, Uncle Moon, Deni Bonet Band, Super Tuesday), met while enduring the desolate misery of corporate life in a Midtown Manhattan law firm. Unknown to each other, they both had a secret past as musicians in the ’90s and ’00s NYC indie scene, having played in various “almost-famous” post-punk bands and toured as opening acts for legends. Escaping corporate misery, they rededicated themselves to music, solidifying the lineup with drummer Paul Andrew (Fluffer, Phantom Tollbooth) and guitarist Peter Horvath (The Anderson Council).
“Victoria was inspired by the party scene of the late 80’s, where it seemed to me people were alternately depressed or manic a lot of the time and not in that happy middle. I thought it would be nice if we could all settle down a bit, slow life down a tick or two and enjoy the little things together. That was the impetus,” says Michael Potenza.
“We resurrected it when we started working on Her Favorite Disguise by reworking some of the more dated lyrics (when we wrote the song, for instance, it was a pre-cell phone time so the first line about “staring into your phone” and an “app for demonology” was added later). The song is a bit of a time capsule to a guitar-forward, jangly, power pop time, but I do think the essential message — that we all have inner demons that could use some mutual kindness to exorcise — carries forward.”
Her Favorite Disguise is the long-awaited follow up to their eponymous debut record – an unapologetic nod to the rough-hewn insouciance of ’80s pre-grunge alt-rock. This album was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by renowned producer Ray Ketchem (Guided by Voices, Luna, Elk City, Gramercy Arms, Crash Harmony) at Magic Door Recording Studio.
“I think this song captures our live sound more thoroughly than any other on the album. Other than a dash of organ at the end, and guest vocalist Olivia Selig adding some thickening to the harmonies in the choruses, there are basically no other enhancements to the song. I think the raw energy of our live set really comes across as a result. The video starts and ends with the band discussing the song and the take, giving the viewer a taste of our process in the studio. This song probably has the least amount of overdubs than any on the album, so the video captured nearly its entire recording,” says Scott Selig.
Earlier, the band shared “Bitcoin Elegy”, a guitar-driven single about the inevitable decline of meaningful personal relationships in the digital age. Joined by vocalist Olivia Selig, this song is not actually an elegy about the famed king of cryptos, the song references Bitcoin as a noted marker for the post-analog world, the elegy here being is specifically about the loss of interpersonal community.
The coming album features several guests, including Mac Gollehon (David Bowie, Al Jarreau, Duran Duran, Mick Jagger, Hall and Oates) on trumpet, cellist Carolyn Jeselsohn, vocalist Reneé LoBue of Elk City, accordionist Carl Riehl (Michelle Shocked, Uncle Moon) and Ray Ketchem on percussion.
The Melancholy Kings’ “Victoria” is available everywhere, followed by the November 28 release of their ‘Her Favorite Disguise’ album – digitally and on vinyl, available for pre-order via Bandcamp.
While you are here, you should soak up the goodness embodied in their latest single “Bitcoin Elegy”:
The Melancholy Kings
[Single]
(Magic Door Record Label)
Release Date: October 23, 2025
Artist Links
Background Photo Credit: Carlo Cipriani
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