Chicago natives Scarlet Demore embark into new territory with their latest release “Ticket to Heaven,” a focused concept song filled with intricate guitar solos and siren-sounding vocals. Contrasting other, more fast-paced, songs in their discography like “Dead Men” and “A/B” from their 2023 EP Baby Teeth, “Ticket to Heaven” is more controlled and graceful, yet still bursts at the seams.
In an Instagram post about the release, Scarlet Demore wrote, “It was just one of those songs that felt like it was wrapped in a bow and left right at my front door step.”
Stream "Ticket to Heaven" by Scarlet Demore
After performing at Lollapalooza for the first time and making an explosive appearance at Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival in Milwaukee this summer, this four piece rock group is redefining the Chicago music scene by creating punk and rock forward tracks designed to be heard live. Lead singer and songwriter, Cat Ayala, alongside band members Joel Smith (guitar), G Passaro (bass), and Jeremiah Elam (drums) have been consistently selling out headline shows throughout this fall and winter at Chicago’s iconic Lincoln Hall and Thalia Hall. This scene truly accepts Scarlet Demore with arms wide open, and this success is always complimented by numerous fundraising or free shows the band plays.
In an incredible feat, "Ticket to Heaven" was a long anticipated release for the band and their fans. Its early live performances from July through October this year, granted fans and listeners a sneak peek into the track. I was lucky enough to attend Scarlet Demore’s show at Lincoln Hall this October, where I got to hear this track live before its official release. When Cat was introducing it as an unreleased song, a fan from the crowd yelled out, "Is it Ticket to Heaven?!” to which the answer was yes; a precursor to the anticipation the track had already created. The lights erupted in dark red and white, creating the dark and dramatic feelings this song captures.
During the full listen, fully mixed, mastered and released, “Ticket to Heaven” combines advanced storytelling and hauntingly beautiful harmonies. The guitar solos on this track really feel sentient, like it has a mind of its own. Flowing in complexity as it competes against the drum beat, this song creates the feeling of pulling heartstrings, each in its own direction. The use of metaphors in the lyrics show how Cat and the band’s focus has been refined and their aesthetic becomes more unique.
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