The Middle East :: I Want That You Are Always Happy

The Middle East :: I Want That You Are Always Happy

It takes a few listens to get your head around the new album from Australian outfit, The Middle East. At times it's a dark affair; the first three tracks suggest tones of 60's British folk with a medieval twist (The album opens with "Black Death 1349"). By the fourth track, "Jesus Came to My Birthday Party," the sound shifts to a lighter place, only to dip back into the slow melancholy of songs like "Mount Morgan" and "Months." Clocking in at an hour (almost unheard of these days), I Want That You Are Always Happy takes some patience, but is ultimately rewarding.

Despite their ability to successfully navigate multiple genres, The Middle East are at their best when diving into more traditional folk/country sounds. Album standout "Land of the Bloody Unknown" is a downright chill-inducing ballad. Later tracks like "Months", "Dan's Silverleaf" and "Hunger Song" continue the rousing chamber folk sound to great success.

I Want That You Are Always Happy is an impressive collection of songs that takes enough twists and turns to keep listeners tuned in for quite a bit longer than most sub-40-minute albums. Sometimes it feels like the album will never end; a prospect that I'm 100% okay with and you should be too.



The Middle East :: Hunger Song

Previously:

The Middle East :: Blood

I Want That You Are Always Happy will be released June 7 in the U.S.