The Middle East

May 14, 2010

I don’t know if it’s because I’m unwinding after a long night or what, but for whatever reason, the Middle East are totally working for me right now. The band plays just the right kind of lilting, subdued music that is perfect for the 3 a.m. drive home or when you’re letting the next morning sink into you. Apparently the songs on the band’s debut EP are a few years old now, and they’re all the better for it; exploring their music is like cracking open a forgotten bottle of wine.

It’s hard to call anything here a highlight, because each song is just as good as the other, but I find myself coming back to “Lonely” more and more this morning. The song is a seven-plus-minute slow burn that sounds content to just mope along as some macabre folk, until you hit those last two minutes and everything turns to wildfire. The explosive finale is the best moment on the EP, especially when the singer starts shouting over the racket.

“Blood” is some idyllic chamber-folk that, like “Lonely”, makes you wait a bit for the payoff. The singer’s voice sounds almost precious, like it might break at any moment, but then the harmonies wrap around everything like a lived-in sweater, making everything frightened feel safe again. The orchestration shimmers, and the choir that shows up near the end is the perfect touch to the song. Forget what I said about there not being a highlight. “Blood” wins. Or maybe “Lonely” does. Dammit, I might just need to stay up all night again to decide.

MP3 The Middle East – Lonely
MP3 The Middle East – Blood

Posted by Matt in Artist Spotlight