Album Review: Maupa, Run Run Sleep

“WELCOME YOU’VE A new salvation, a way to get out, a new illusion to make you feel good”, so says the Maupa homepage, which goes on to display a cringe worthy recipe style description of the band: a pinch of pretentiousness, a spoonful of false ideology, etc. etc.

If you haven’t heard of Maupa before (and why would you?), then don’t let this put you off. Their music is relaxed, friendly and accessible; view it as the playful offspring of Sigur Ros and Arcade Fire, with a couple of undeniably catchy songs.

This, their second album, gets off to a powerful, if slightly dour, start with the title track, but sit through this and the following tracks gain happy momentum and become more chilled-out, relaxed and less morbid.

The bulk of the album is easy listening with solid instrumentals and gentle lyrics. Love in the Car Park and What a Mess provide the highlight of the band’s more upbeat nature, and supply a foot-tapping finish to switch off to. I wouldn’t suggest listening to the final two tracks, Milky Eyes and Everything We Have, unless you’ve had a particularly distressing break-up during the middle of the album. Both are overly melancholy, and both drag on.

On the whole the album is inoffensive and pleasant, with a couple of interesting instrumental solos thrown in. The lead singer, David Boon, has found a style which suits him, but is fairly limited. When he strays from his comfort zone towards the finish, we get ten minutes of depressing whinging that could spoil what is otherwise a good album.

Buy this album if you’re holding a dinner party and you’re going to light some scented candles.