What first drew me to Maida Rose was the cover art for their latest album release, “In Boundless Blue”. The hazy blue world and the dreamy slivers of light on the artwork translate so well into the music itself. This piece of work is definitely a bit darker and slower than their previous EP, but still holds onto that feeling of hope and pushing forward, particularly towards the end of the record.
The first track, Right To Be Wrong, starts slow and steady with a pleasantly plucking bass and a chill drum beat. When the vocals come in, you can feel the emotion in her angelic tone and the electric guitar helps carry that deeply touching melody through your headphones and into your veins. The bridge is an electronic-lovers dream, with a gorgeous rendition of the chorus that helps you slip into the mood of this album comfortably.
So It Goes, the second track on this album, is a perfect transition from the first track. It’s a bit faster than the opener but holds that same endearing tone and atmosphere. The harmonies on this song are so pleasing and add layers of depth to the feelings that emanate from the track. This is one of my favorites on the album for sure.
The next song, Time Is A Lonely Traveler, has a gripping melody right from the start. The musical keys they chose for this album work so well at evoking certain emotions from the listener; this track is a prime example of that. The electric guitar that parallels the melody also duels with the vocals to be the centerpiece of this track, but both playing together are UNSTOPPABLE.
The serene guitar of this track, Don’t Worry About The Rain, immediately grabbed my attention. The vocal ad-libs in the background before the chorus are expertly crafted. I can’t express how much I adore a good ad-lib, especially when it’s modified and used as a sort of instrument all on its own. This is another favorite of mine, without a doubt.
Trying To Forget, the fifth track is a bit more upbeat and hopeful-sounding in its instrumentation and delivery. To me, this is a great representation of the dream pop I can’t get enough of. Interesting bits and bobs of noise, smooth vocals, and colorful lyrics paint a portrait of pure bliss. The other half of this duo makes an appearance as some harmonious vocals, and WOWZA their voices together do a number on me.
The longest on the album, All I Am, is the sixth track. It’s slower, more methodical in its delivery, and brutally honest in its lyricism. This song in particular feels the most introspective and personal, from the listener’s perspective. From missing out on parts of you, unanswered callings, untaken roads, and the endless what-ifs, this song approaches those subjects with a melancholic and somber lens. This one made me tear up a bit, being so existential 24/7 all on my own.
The seventh and final song is called, I Will Be Fine, and it feels like an extension of the previous track, but transforms from the “what-ifs” to a place of more acceptance. With lyrics like: “I guess there’s no getting used to goodbye / I’ve been here before so I should know / These moments come and go / I should know”, we get more of a glimpse into the turmoil these thoughts cause her.
As this album comes to a close, I’m left feeling a bit gloomy but leaning more towards a point of “I can handle whatever life throws at me, at least for now”. This piece of art is truly a journey and feels like a retelling of what it means to be human. I adore this album so much and urge anyone and everyone to give it a listen. It’s currently streaming on Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify, and Soundcloud, so dive into “In Boundless Blue” at your earliest convenience.
Written by Newt Fangs
