Cleveland's purveyors of "Southern Gothic Soul”, Slow Groove Kings, are back, shedding some of the swagger from their acclaimed debut EP for a profoundly personal new chapter. Fresh off the release of their atmospherically charged ‘The Nashville Vampire Supper Club’ EP, the six-piece band has unveiled an intimate, artist's version of the hypnotic single, ‘Counting Sheep’.
Known for delivering a smoky, hypnotic blend of Southern soul, late-night rock, and dive-bar mysticism, the Kings—led by frontman and songwriter Brett Potts—have a knack for crafting songs that simmer with palpable tension. The full lineup, which includes guitarist Tim Parnin, bassist Chris Nunnari, pianist Chris Lugo, drummer Zach Horstman, and vocalist Autumn Skye, offers a cinematic sound that has been fittingly described as sitting somewhere between the dynamic energy of The Pixies, the ghostly calm of Mazzy Star, and the brutal honesty of Johnny Cash.
While their debut EP balanced raw emotion with restrained power, moving from grinding, bluesy menace on tracks like ‘Bag of Bones’ to moments of tender vulnerability, this initial release of ‘Counting Sheep’ opts for a stripped-down approach. Recorded in the intimate setting of Potts’ home studio, this gorgeous version foregrounds the haunting, rising melodies of vocalist and songwriter Autumn Skye, supported by Potts and Parnin.
The result is a softer, more personal change of pace that acts as a profound emotional blueprint for the track. With vivid lyrics like that playful cut through the music, the song paints a picture of a restless soul worn out by overthinking, adrift between vulnerability and resilience. It is an atmospheric anthem for anyone struggling with late-night thoughts, heartache, and the desperate need for connection.
Frontman Brett Potts highlights the song’s staying power, saying, "There's a sad realisation that you have as an artist under obsession; that one day you just don't love the song that you spent all the time and energy and heartache on. With Counting Sheep, it never happened. I never grow tired of it."
The accompanying music video, shot and directed by Jake Harness, perfectly captures the mood, transporting the viewer to an older, simpler time with an old-school, romantic aesthetic. While the full band version is expected to follow, this radiant, minimal take allows listeners to experience the heartfelt core of Slow Groove Kings’ constantly evolving sound.
You can tune into the new single and video above, and for more, be sure to connect with the band on Instagram and Facebook.
