Manchester-based four-piece Midland Railway have finalised the charge into their self-titled debut album with their recent release 'She Loves Ted Bundy'. Following a slew of singles over the last few years, we can now see what the band are truly capable of when given the opportunity to put their musical talents together to create a fully-fledged album. With their 2022 singles 'A Song For Hannah-Beth' and 'The Mysterious Cities of Gold', they'd certainly left us with a desire to see how their sound would play out across a full album.
Once the band released the album's penultimate single 'Bedroom Analysis' we were hoping to hear more of the energy they brought in 'A Song For Hannah-Beth' - not dissimilar to early Arctic Monkeys. We definitely weren’t disappointed when the song sprung to life with a harsh, fuzzy guitar tone. The lead melody drives the song throughout, and - whilst simple -it gives an excellent foundation for the rest of the band to build on, which they most certainly do.
The upbeat guitar and clean, bright rhythm section contrast beautifully with the melancholic lyrics, tackling the overbearing and confusing feelings of a recent break up. The tight yet syncopated vocals give the feeling of Justin Hawkins of The Darkness fame, which, when mixed with the hazy garage pop energy of Wet Leg, accumulate into a listening experience that feels like it shouldn't entirely work - but most definitely does.
The main criticism we have for the release, which can be seen in quite a few of the songs on the album, is that the mixing seems to favour the instrumental side of the band over the vocals, letting them become slightly muddied in the mix. Of course this comes down to personal preference; some may prefer this style, however we think the cleaner, more audible vocals on songs such as 'A Song For Hannah-Beth' and one of their earlier releases 'The Power Game' suit the band's energy more.
Speaking of 'A Song For Hannah-Beth', this is one of the strongest tracks on the release - coming at us with a sweet, indie-inspired melody, and energetic rhythms that are likely to become an earworm, the song begs to be cranked up to 11 and danced to if it's to be truly appreciated. The only potential concern with the song is its placement in the album - immediately following “Bedroom Analysis” seems an odd choice considering the themes in each song. Discussing a rough breakup then jumping into an energetic bop and lovesong, about the titular “Hannah-Beth” is certainly one hell of a juxtaposition, although if the contrast was intended then it comes across admirably.
It's clear to see that each track has been thought out, and the overall flow of the album gives you a rollercoaster of energy, peaking with tracks such as 'City of Gold' and smoothly transitioning to slower, more emotionally charged options. No matter what mood or mindset you’re in - there's something on this album for you, which is exactly what we found through our multiple listening sessions.
The blend of genres will also give different listeners something to appreciate - regardless of personal taste, there is something for everyone here. We feel that the band's slower tracks hold more power, but that's absolutely no reason to disregard the higher tempo remainder of the album, which is chock full of excellence still. There's very clearly some early punk influence, most obviously can be heard on 'One Day', which when combined with the indie/garage rock vibes from many of the other tracks gives the album a very unique texture, that keeps us listening again and again.
Midland Railway's debut album is definitely a worthy listen for anyone. It might not necessarily be the most finely polished album, but which punk album is? Cover to cover the album gives an eclectic mix of genres, musical styles, and influences. There are emotional highs and lows, spikes of energy - and some tracks sound downright angry (Looking at you 'One Day')! We can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone - and most especially, fans of emotionally charged indie-pop.
'Midland Railway' will be released on February 14th 2025.
Words: Chris Brown
Photos: Midland Railway
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