Their latest release, "Shining Star," is an unpolished, emotional ride through the highs and heartbreaks of fame. With a title that promises brilliance, the song instead draws you to the softly shadowed edge of the spotlight where love, loss, and longing twist in the gleam of tabloid celebrity. Famed for their award-winning film work and genre-defying soundtracks, Simone and Karsten (Hot Chicks & Cowboys) again put story above all else.
What began as a pair of filmmakers creating customized scores has blossomed into a full-fledged musical act with a disinterest in playing it safe. And that candor shines in "Shining Star." The track traffics in emo-trap sensibilities, a bittersweet concoction of numb 808s, drugged-out melodies, and gut-punching vocals. Think Juice WRLD meets an indie film soundtrack that is dreamy but mob. The lyrics draw a sharp picture of an anonymous someone who watches the person they love ascend to stardom, then collapse in its emotional wreckage, only to be jilted. It's a classic story of unrequited love, viewed through the reflection of modern fame.
The production has a cinematic quality that mirrors the duo's roots. The mood is pensive, almost like a movie's aftermath, the silent credits follow the din of love lost and lessons learned. The audience ends up hearing the story and feeling it as though they have lived it themselves. The depth of emotions and thought-provoking themes separated Hot Chicks & Cowboys. They craft emotional landscapes you can lose yourself in. "Shining Star" is a sobering reminder that, sometimes, the brightest lights cast the darkest shadows. For every new release, the duo further muddies the lines between music and cinema, and "Shining Star" is their most personal, poetic offering to date.
Discover Hot Chicks & Cowboys on Instagram