Song Review: ‘Talk to Me That Way’ by The Foxies

Nashville-based indie rock trio The Foxies, consisting of vocalist Julia Lauren Bullock, guitarist Jake Ohlbaum and drummer Rob Dodley, released their latest single ‘Talk to Me That Way’ on March 8^th. The band teased the song using the catchphrase “if you’re exhausted with the current dating scene, raise your hand” while also stating that this new single would be a “vocal rollercoaster”.

The track opens with the soft strumming of a guitar accompanied by Bullock’s strong vocals asking if there’s someone out there “on the freeway”. Halfway through this first verse, the drums kick in, turning it into an immediate power anthem. The singer states that she just wants a little taste of a love that doesn’t end in disaster. “How come they’re never my type?” she asks before delving into the chorus,  questioning the person she is currently seeing while acting as if they stand a chance. 

The second verse is slightly lower in tempo than the chorus, with Bullock singing that “I’m optimistic when I know I shouldn’t be”. Despite her previous encounters with romantic prospects, she still holds out hope for love. The instrumentals sound softer here, adding to the idea of her being a hopeless romantic. After the second chorus, the song moves on to the bridge, in which the band essentially says that every guy is the same. “Haven’t I met you before?” Bullock starts off , while ending it with “haven’t heard that one in a while” – referring to one of many excuses she’s been told. The bridge is backed up by a catchy guitar riff and intense drums. For the final pre-chorus, the song takes a few seconds to slow it all down, going back to softer tones. “I’m sure you got the most wonderful place” Bullock sings before the drums kick back in for the explosive final chorus. All the instrumentals fade out before the band ends the song with the lyric “there ain’t no fucking way”. Loud and clear, right?

Like The Foxies’ previous singles, ‘Talk to Me That Way’ is an addictive indie rock song that many people can surely relate to. Dating can be so tiring – it’s always therapeutic to have an anthem to shout along to when it doesn’t work out as you had hoped for.