Highland Cinema - More Than I Can See (self-released)

As the gentle ebb and flow of their smooth, soulful vibes and spacious melodies wash over more driven back beats, you realize something special is happening on “More Than I Can See,” the debut single from Highland Cinema. It isn’t easy to accurately put into words what it is that is so unique about the song, but it seems to be less about what they play and more about the broader sonic choices they make.

Choices like the fact that the song doesn’t hit home because of velocity or volume but makes itself known through the careful layering up of subtle textures and well-crafted tones, through the delicate layering of sound rather than by merely punching through. You know that they could push things further, faster, and more frantically if they chose to, but the fact that they would rather jangle than drive, shimmer rather than speed, and float rather than flaunt their rock credentials, makes them stand out.

There is something of The National about their sound, and that isn’t a reference point that I put out there lightly, and “More Than I Can See” embraces that same sublime understatement shot through with just enough sonic highs to create intrigue and interest.

It’s a song that balances gentle groove with effortless grace, haze with harmonies, and mellifluous melodics with just enough rock muscle. Rock music isn’t known for understatement, consideration, or the calm or cautious application of sound, but that is what is going on here. It is almost as if rock music has come of age, stopped showing off, and started making music for a more mature audience. Finally!

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