Certain parts of Europe hold some of the absolute best raves in the world. This track takes you there, if you want it to. At the same time, there’s a calming ambiance throughout the piece, meaning it can be just as soothing as it is energizing – depending on what you need from it.
Singles
From a distance, there’s a simplicity to the sound – an easy pop groove that lights up the room as it should. The closer you get though, the more intently you listen, the taller those personal details and that truthfulness stand amidst the ambiance.
The combination of drums, piano, acoustic guitars and synth strings are arranged in a perky, staccato style that keeps proceedings marching along and provides punchy accompaniment to the smoothly-sung vocals. This is not painting by numbers, there’s some smart choices being made.
The sweet orchestration of the track; the masterful blending of strings and acoustic guitars is reminiscent of singer-songwriters like Boo Hewerdine, erstwhile of The Bible. The percussion elements are a very welcome addition, too – adding a little drive to proceedings – but the major feeling here is one of reflection and contemplation. Dive in and have a soak.
“You succumb to the unknown, and by all accounts – that’s exactly what Sid intended to portray. A haunting and fairly unforgettable account of our world and the human experience.”
You can hear Emi Jeen’s connection to the lyrics, you can feel the energy with which she addresses the details; this grows and grows, right the way through to the final moments of the final verse – and then you get the calming drop to the hook once again, bringing you back down to earth.
“This second verse moment is huge, incredibly impressive – fast-paced yet lyrically flawless and refreshingly original. It’s worth skipping back through this verse alone to let the intricacies fully sink in.”
This slice of exuberant, unashamedly pop-tastic insanity comes courtesy of a clutch of 80s synth sounds and a very clever arrangement that somehow boots the retro-ness of its experience into a throughly enjoyable romp for right now!
The elusive Mayer returns with perhaps his most engaging groove yet. Kicking into gear with a soulful up-pitched vocal for a hook, a light and summer-style beat, The Love You Left Behind drives with swagger and possibility – a sense of overcoming, regret followed by strength and progression.
A hypnotic, pulsing, rolling piano motif welcomes in the listener and then the rubber hits the road and we’re off! It’s a clever, classy and contemporary sound, with pristinely-captured vocals (as precise as you like) treated lovingly with compression, reverb and delay.
These days, it’s incredibly refreshing to hear a different kind of arrangement in the single format. And like a clockwork ballerina winding down to a stop, Malicious Monotony proves it is anything but. Well, it may be malicious, but it’s chock-full of imagination and interesting and brave choices.
Storming through the speakers with nothing so much as an introduction or a moment of quiet, Open My Mind is a brilliantly upbeat and deeply thoughtful pop-rock song – one that subtly leans towards punk-pop with its fast-paced power-chords and the often grunge-soaked nature of the leading melody.