It’s really quite awe-inspiring just how much music there is out there, right? I mean, I consider myself a big fan of the second wave of post-rock (in case you need examples, Red Sparrowes, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and the such) but I’ve never really set down to listen to My Education. I knew of the band (first formed in 1999 and with a prolific career, including many live shows, since then) but I never dug too deep into their music. Which, I am now realizing, was a mistake, judging by the single from their upcoming album, Emka, which I am happy to premiere today. Said track, the quizzically named “Time For Schleep”, is a fantastic and well balanced one, which creates the meld I love so much between melancholy, brightness, and excellent compositional work. Head on down below to check it out!
I love, love, love the use of piano on this track! The punchy, percussion-like sound of the keys works very well with the “warm blanket” sensation which the choirs and the strings lend the work. It sort of “punches delicately” through them, drawing your attention to the piano-line as the main musical through-fare of the track, preserving its delicate nature while still capturing the listener. When it’s time for the crescendo (not as grandiose as a third-wave band might make it, and that’s a good thing) the piano returns triumphantly alongside the now wide and expressive drums to bring things to a cathartic close. Sprinkle in clever use of the above mentioned choirs and strings, excellently written and executed guitars (which do take a sort of backing role on the track but are still important for its mature and fleshed out feel) and you’ve got yourself a certified banger.
Emka releases on October 14th and you can head on over to the band’s Bandcamp page to pre-order it. Until it releases, won’t you join me in digging back through their discography? I’m already sure there are some serious gems in there.