Los Angeles rock quartet
King Washington capture the bright harmonies of sunny California on their third full-length,
Potential. Their first release after 2013's The Overload,
Potential finds the band seizing the
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young influence found on earlier tracks like "Land Without Me," "You Let It Go," and "Old Highway 9." Like contemporaries
the War on Drugs and
Holy Holy,
King Washington excel at updating the layered classic rock sounds of the '60s and '70s, especially on standout "Be Where You Belong." Other highlights include the grand "Evelyn" and "Hey Boy" -- satisfying doses of sweeping nostalgia -- as well as the expansive "New Meaning" and the epic seven-minute journey "The Other Side." Produced by Alex Pfender,
Potential is a potent, rewarding listen, one that focuses
King Washington's vision with wonderful results. ~ Neil Z. Yeung