Sitting in the shade of a large fig tree, sipping a glass of iced coffee, I listened to Once Home, No Longer, the debut album by UK indie pop trio Mt. Misery. A rare moment when nothing has to be done, and the music contributes to a satisfied mood. Although singer/songwriter/guitarist Andrew Smith’s lyrics aren’t light-hearted (matching the band name), they do come across as sunny. “My dreaming days are over now // ‘Cause I can’t get back the time I wasted,” he sings in the opening track. He conveys his message so beautifully – valuable contributions from fellow band members Stephen McGrother (guitar) and Lewis Flower (drums) – that you slowly but surely dream away, but that’s OK: these 38 minutes are well spent. RIYL Whitney, Real Estate, Andy Shauf.
Out now digitally, on CD and vinyl LP through Prefect Records.