Milk N’ Fox’s The Last Song does not try to hide its Colorado roots. Assembled in 2023 in Denver’s High Rockies, vocalist and guitarist Chad Ellis, bassist Kevin Daye, and drummer Mike Allen remain in high demand for live shows. Since signing with Spectra Music Group, the trio has put on dozens of concerts and recently attended the SpringBoard West festival in San Diego. They somehow found time in between to record and release The Last Song, an alt-rock 12-track album fueled by their recent performing momentum.
The name says it all – proud milk drinkers from a region known for its large fox presence. Simple as that. Based out of Summit County, Colorado, the band travels back and forth for gigs in Denver, staying connected to a bigger scene while holding onto their mountainous identity. There’s a definite nomadic theme baked into this record.
The title track, “The Last Song,” opens with a twisty guitar, sliding up and down the octaves. Right away, you can hear major blues-rock influences in Ellis’s gritty voice, resembling bands like The Black Keys. Their attempt for a raw, vintage sound is strictly held in the vocals, but the rest of the instruments keep things modern. Their eagerness to experiment is clear from the jump. There is a cluster of genres right away, featuring a brief surf rock break between lyrics, trading off with the psychedelic guitar.
A fan favorite, “Free From Chains” straps us in for what feels like a mellow road trip to one of their gigs. This song is more lyrically driven than the last, with “Energy/It’s all energy” coming across as more of a mantra than a hook. The weightless guitar eventually dissolves at the end, adding to that sense of wandering. The title alone shows that Milk N’ Fox embraces their itinerant lifestyle. They have no interest in being tied down and would rather chase the commutes and temporary destinations.
The band often talks about how much they genuinely enjoy the songwriting process. For them, the creative flow is instinctual, and their innate musical ability was discovered early on. Ellis and Allen had already been playing together since high school before finding Daye along the way to complete the group. They were shaped by early Kings of Leon, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Modest Mouse – you can definitely hear those influences sprinkled throughout.
Further into The Last Song, we expect to hear the same desert rock elements as before. “Life of Delight” gives us another half-time switch, and Allen’s drums continue to push the album forward. The following song reveals subtle nuances like richer guitar lines and longer track times. Before, the bass was mostly left grooving in the background, helping the beat stay alive, until it started to carry in “Nye Beach” with a rubbery reverb. Everything’s suddenly darker and reverb-heavy. Ellis’s saturated vocals also reappear, this time with a more distorted, compressed telephone effect.
The mid-point song, “David F. Letterman,” piques listeners’ interest with its name and lengthy runtime alone. It’s an out-of-place tribute to the well-known talk show host that draws you in and keeps you intrigued. The vocals are sharper, and at one point, there’s screeching in one ear while cymbals crash in the other. This song is an anomaly compared to the rest of the album’s theme, serving as the parting gift before swinging into the second act.
When the curtain rises again, “Ponderosa” takes over with its atmospheric and laid-back beat. There are a variety of refreshing characteristics, including a sun-soaked guitar melody and more percussive touches like a gentle tambourine shake. It begins by dialing back the electric edge in favor of an overall brighter tone. This change makes you appreciate life’s simpler struggles, like deciding which bathing suit is dry enough to wear or choosing the right Instagram filter for yet another ocean picture. Milk N’ Fox reminds us to put on our sunglasses, soak it all in, and relax for once.
Track 10, “Hey May,” completely flips the script. The tempo rises, Allen’s drums hit harder, and suddenly you’re headbanging. Milk N’ Foxes’ garage band alter ego comes out when they shout, “Hey!” anticipating the crowd to throw “May!” right back. This is an interactive song that could only be properly enjoyed live. This was made for the stage. Throughout The Last Song, Milk N’ Fox stays grounded in what they know, and it’s no secret who they’ve been influenced by. While they tend to play things a bit safe, there is promise in their experimentation. Keep an eye out for hints of a tour announcement and stay tuned on Milk N’ Fox’s social media for updates.
Written by Olivia Lugo