MIIEN by MIEN–Album Review
MIIEN by MIEN–Album Review
Psych-rock supergroup MIEN has returned triumphantly with their sophomore effort MIIEN, the band’s first release since 2018. Consisting of Alex Maas of the Black Angels, Rishi Dhir of Elephant Stone, John-Mark Lapham of the Earlies, and Robb Kidd of Golden Dawn Arkestra, the band reconvened in 2022 at a studio in Austin during SXSW to record the album.
The lead single from the album, “Evil People” sounds like Devo being sucked through a black hole. Over a throbbing, melodic bass line, singer Alex Maas chants the mantra-like phrase, “You and I belong together, you and I, we go back and forth,” as guitars and synths swirl and weave around him.
RELATED: Interview with Rish Dhir of Elephant Stone
“Counterbalance” starts with a hip-hop-inspired beat that flows into a lo-fi, jangly sitar-like sound before Kidd’s drums kick the song into gear. Maas’ lilt of stream-of-conscious lyrics like “Decry the morals, trouble making, take the high road, cover my bones” eventually give way to concede “Game over, girl it’s over” before advising “Keep your balance”. As with “Evil People”, this song presents a slightly skewed version of the typical relationship song.
“How Could You Run”, with its underbelly of plinking, hypnotic guitar, lurching cadence, and ethereal vocals is a dreamy interlude that eventually gives way to a drum breakdown leading into a swelling coda of strings and synths. “Empty Sun” sounds like the Chemical Brothers and MGMT had a lovechild, with its driving backbeat, robotic voices, and celestial lyrics.
RELATED: The Black Angels: Wilderness of Mirrors–album review
Another highlight, “Silent Golden” has an electro-psych middle section containing what may be the Asian stringed instrument known as the guzheng, sandwiched in between the “We Will Rock You” cadence and ending with a “Day in the Life”-esque surge that gives way to a thrilling flutter of strings and conga drums. It’s a dizzying experience to be sure.
Bowen Stead
The rest of the album contains even more of MIEN’s brand of consciousness expanding explorations. “Mirror” with Maas’ haunting soprano putting forth gems of wisdom such as “Forgiveness breaks you out of the cages of your mind”. “Knocking On Your Door” begins by sounding like you’re floating through that same black hole Devo was sucked through before moving into an ethereal dream. “Morning Echo” is the sound of dawn breaking after a particularly mind-altering evening–the sounds mimicking sunbeams piercing the clouds in a kaleidoscopic vision. And “Slipping Away”, thunders forth with bestial growls and thumping syncopated drums.
The rest of the album contains even more of MIEN’s consciousness-expanding explorations. “Mirror” with Maas’ haunting soprano putting forth gems of wisdom such as “Forgiveness breaks you out of the cages of your mind”. “Knocking On Your Door” begins by sounding like you’re floating through that same black hole Devo was sucked through before moving into an ethereal dream. “Morning Echo” is the sound of dawn breaking after a particularly mind-altering evening–the sounds mimicking sunbeams piercing the clouds in a kaleidoscopic vision. And “Slipping Away”, thunders forth with bestial growls and thumping syncopated drums.
The soundscapes these musicians have created are truly worthy of their lineage. MIEN hasn’t crafted an album so much as an experience. Let’s hope it’s not another seven years before we can take a new ride with this gifted group.
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