The title track of Jonny Gold’s upcoming debut album, “The Fever” is the second single released for the LP — and only the second drop from the artist yet. (Their first single, “How Do You Like Me Now,” released in April 2020.) Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Jonny wrote the album entirely on their move north to Seattle. Southern-infused Americana rock with a PNW indie vibe, “The Fever” listens like Jonny themself expressed as a piece of music — a southerner finding melodic sensibility in an indie-focused climate.
Especially for an artist’s second release, the production on “The Fever” is certainly impressive. A very polished track, the instrumentation is clear and clean, and it accentuates Jonny’s raw, indie vocals. The rhythm section drives the song with a bluesy bassline that chugs along as the ride cymbals clearly ring out, and southwestern-sounding guitars provide an Americana atmosphere. The mix of Americana, rock, and blues paints a sonic picture of a trip across the United States, and it’s all tied together with a pleasant and atmospheric indie vibe.
Jonny fills the song with poignant lyrics about the struggles of being wild and misguided youths (“We were just coked up kids staying out ‘til 2 / On the wrong side of town”) and dark messages about the process of finding yourself (“32 days until I die / Who’s gonna rise on the other side?”) But the many ominous lyrics are followed by small messages of hope, like “Ain’t nothing gonna bring this fever down” that signify Jonny is searching for — and finding — their own rebirth in the PNW.
In the video for the track, the camera stays focused on Jonny as their face gets decorated with more and more bright, colorful paint and a crown of flowers. The colors and glitter that adorn Jonny throughout the video seemingly embrace a more feminine self that may not have been able to flourish in Texas. As the song passes, Jonny is covered — or are they revealed? Watch the video below to see for yourself.
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