Finding hope in the struggle of life, “Little Miss America” gives Australia’s Josh Orange a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
Josh Orange is a group and not a person. More importantly, Josh Orange is a testament to the power of great songwriting. The band’s catalog speaks to the universal truth that strong storytelling and memorable melodies will always do more for a track than any amount of studio wizardry. As much as people may like disposable pop songs that pass like ghosts in the night, audiences want to hear something relatable, and that’s what the Australian gentlemen in Josh Orange deliver.
With their latest single, “Little Miss America,” Josh Orange paint a melodic sonic tapestry for those caught in the struggle of existence. For all the technology and on-demand pleasures that the modern world may offer, the fact remains that life is hard more often than not. Most of us have unrealized dreams and aspirations to be anywhere other than where we are at this moment. We have visions for our lives that we cling to despite knowing such outcomes are unlikely. We are doomed to work and die and the best anyone can do is find a small reason to smile in each day we’re given to exist.
“Little Miss America” taps into the same vein of therapeutic honesty in songwriting that Tom Petty used to make his name. With visions of cigarettes and rust belt struggles wound around a midtempo production that effortlessly syncs with the intangible feeling of loneliness we all recognize, the song finds hope in the little moments. It’s not about changing or saving the world, nor should it be. Most of us never the opportunity to impact the masses the way we see in high-budget movies, but we can do our part to make the misery of existence a little bit better for everyone. We can be kind to strangers, and we can never take more than we need. We can recognize we are all in this together, even if we’re alone, and there is power in that understanding that most never realize.
Josh Orange spent the better part of the last half-decade releasing music and entertaining audiences, but “Little Miss America” feels like the start of a new chapter. The group has honed its sound to the point of perfection. Each element of the track comes together to a soundtrack for making the most of a hard life. The band understands that it’s not the small decisions that not only make us who we are but that shape the world around us. If we can just learn to recognize the opportunities we are given to help one another; then maybe we’ll all be better off.
Haulix Recommends is a recurring feature where the Haulix staff chooses one or more recent releases from their clients. Click here to discover more great music being promoted through Haulix.
