Description of (m)orning by Mae
Released as a tour EP, all proceeds going to charity, (m)orning is a collection of songs, many of which were available for streaming on Mae's website during the first four months of the year. It is the first in a series of three EPs that the band will release in 2009. According to Mae, the EP is supposed to represent (m)usic, (a)rt, and (e)ducation. Despite how unimpressed I was by their last full-length, (m)orning fits its intended mood perfectly.
"Good (m)orning" and "(m)orning Drive" bookend the EP with instrumentals that include chirping birds and alternative guitars, the perfect songs to wake up to. The 8 1/2 minute ballad "The Fisherman Song (We All Need Love)" moves through a pop cycle, a rock cycle, and a heavy ending that brings the epic piece to a close. At no point does it ever feel epic, though, thanks to the continuing downtempo springtime theme. "Two Birds" is the third instrumental on the EP, featuring dueling flutes and guitars, and is one of my favorite instrumentals already.
More traditional Mae is available too, in the Singularity-friendly "Boomerang" ("in the back of mind, I could always feel you push and pull away") and the melodic "Night/Day," possibly my favorite song Mae has released since The Everglow. Throughout the nearly 40-minute EP, longer than some albums, they keep their morning, or (m)orning, mood perfectly. This could very well be followed by two more amazing concept EPs. Check it out - and check out their live show too.