Australian trio Middle Kids release “New Songs For Old Problems”, a six-track mini-album. The mini-album, recorded at the band’s own studio in Sydney and produced by bass player Tim Fitz, follows hot on the heels of what was a massive 2018 for Middle Kids and the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Lost Friends, which won Australian radio station Triple J’s prestigious Album of the Year award.
Of Real Thing, the new single, lead singer Hannah Joy explains that Real Thing is the lifelong quest for meaning. The quiet, persistent voice in the stillness that constantly checks to see if you truly think you’ve found the thing you’re looking for.” The six-song EP will see the trio continue their brand of emphatic, guitar-forward indie pop. This EP comes after the band’s popular debut album, Lost Friends.
Hannah Joy talks us through the release, track by track.
‘Beliefs & Prayers’ is a fanfare about people pretending to be nice when actually they are not. It’s rambunctious and intense and if it were a cheese it would be Roquefort.
I wrote ‘Salt Eyes’ because I used to think I needed alcohol to be okay when it was, in fact, one of the things that was making me not okay. The opening chords make me feel like I’m 20 years old arriving at a party and realising that I am not drunk enough to endure it.
‘Needle’ is a real rambly song singing about the phenomenon of everybody telling everybody else what to do on the internet because we’re all experts and we all know best. But then we are so SAD and ANXIOUS so what’s that all about?
‘Real Thing’ is the lifelong quest for meaning. The quiet, persistent voice in the stillness that constantly checks to see if you truly think you’ve found the thing you’re looking for. It has a cool pairing of crunchy guitars against a saucy groove. “Real Thing” begins with solemn-sounding guitar tremolo and Joy’s powerful vocal sighs. Once the chorus hits, though, all three members join forces to create a bittersweet melody backed up with fuzzed-out guitar. It’s layered and effortless
‘Call Me Snowflake’ is slightly unhinged but manages to keep itself together. It’s the most rough, punky moment on ‘New Songs for Old Problems’. But it’s also quite sensitive which is really brought out the in the long coda jam.
It is sometimes hard to go on and that is what ‘Big Softy’ is all about. The accordion in this song helps wheeze out the emotion in the chorus. Sometimes we just need an acknowledgement that life is hard, it has been since the beginning of time, and sometimes you need to just sing that out and then continue on.
To be released May 24th, 2019
The Fat Angel Sings 