The practice of releasing the vast majority of an album as singles before its launch is becoming increasingly prevalent in the digital age. But just because such an approach is an option doesn’t mean that all bands can get away with it. Or put another way, just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should. After all, if you are going to put out a song as a single, it has to tick enough boxes in terms of songcrafting, accessibility, excitement, interest, and dozens of other criteria to warrant it. There aren’t that many bands that can get away with such an extended sonic broadside, but The Muster Point Project is certainly high up on that very short list.
Old is New sees Kevin Franco and his sonic posse exploring the idea of relationships, those we have with others, but also the relationship that we have with ourselves. And if such subjects are as old as humanity, The Muster Point Project still finds new and infectious ways to repackage these conversations and thoughts.
“Believe in Yourself” is a brilliant musical mantra, upbeat and enthusiastic, a neat slice of indie rock that celebrates being there for someone while also subtly reminding us that such positivity and ambition are not merely the domain of the young. I guess you could read a similar sentiment into the buoyant indie-pop of “You Are My Breeze,” but sometimes a straighter take of a song is all that is needed. Do that, and you fight it: an ode to the joy of being out on the open roads on a bicycle. Simple as that.
“Brand New Day” is a gentley flowing, country-infused, piece of rock that reminds us that you never know when you are going to meet that special person, whilst “Looked Good on Paper” finds us on the other side of the coin, a rock and roll number adorned with some great mandolin lines and gentle piano breakdowns with a starker take: sometimes the things that you think makes a relationship seem great are not what is needed actually to hold it together.
I will never stop extolling the virtues of the songwriting skills of Franco and his collaborators. Not only does he find some wonderfully fertile ground, equidistant between the heart of rock and indie, pop and Americana, but at this sweet spot, he fashions songs that are brilliantly accessible singles.
Some artists in the modern age release an avalanche of tracks just because it is now an easy process, one that comes without the prohibitive financial constraints of the physical release of yore. Kevin Franco puts out so many tracks because they are so well-crafted, interesting, entertaining, and infectious that it would be an injustice to the music world if he didn’t give them their own individual day in the sun.
Website
Facebook
Soundcloud
Bandcamp
Instagram
