“Marigold” finds the trio that is Krooked Tongue dialing back the distortion and leaning into space. The track builds patiently by resting on a simmering pulse and a steady and restrained performance that never rushes the payoff. That sense of control is what makes the track hit. Krooked Tongue doesn’t explode but they hover just above the edge, and it’s the waiting that hooks one in.
With “Marigold,” Krooked Tongue shows just how much strength can live in the quieter corners of their songwriting. Known for their heavier, riff-driven stomp, the band take a different route that provides slow-burning groove rock with heart, tension, and restraint. They trade grit for gravity, and noise for nuance without losing the bite that’s always set them apart.
What makes “Marigold” special isn’t just the shift in tone, though that’s refreshing on its own, it’s how the song handles tension without needing to shout. Vocalist Oli Rainsford’s delivery is cool and reflective and he lets each line land with weight, while his lyrics lean into uncertainty.
He says,
‘Marigold’ is a love letter to the ‘what might’ve been.
The song feels like watching two paths briefly crossing and then vanishing from view. It’s that moment that still buzzes in the rearview mirror. This isn’t a power ballad. There’s no dramatic swell or stadium-sized chorus. Instead, it’s moody, layered, and locked into a groove that knows exactly where it’s going, even if the story inside it doesn’t. For a band that’s built a rep on muscular rock anthems, “Marigold” is a confident curveball that proves they can stretch without snapping their identity. Yes, it’s quieter but no less impactful for it.
