mLau – Locked In (2022)
Through the five tracks of ‘Locked In’, mLau bring a flurry of rhythmic textures and artistic responses to what is happening in the world. While each track considers a new topic, there is a thread linking them all and locking them together. This thread touches on our collective humanity and the way we are all individuals but connected through our interactions with the world.
The complex tapestry of melodic elements, vocal harmonies, lyrical responses and unique compositions come from Maria Laura Ronzoni and Massimo Marraccini. The duo plays Ronzoni’s vocals against the rhythmic sense of Marraccini to create captivating tracks that have much more to say than you first imagine. If you are looking for an EP packed with creative replies to the problems of the modern world, you are in the right place.
The EP opens with ‘Pinstripe Suit’ which was inspired by a real news story. There is a slightly foreboding feeling to the opening that gains a gentle wash of synths that twinkle and glitter through your senses. The beats have a light dancing vibe that get you moving before Ronzoni’s vocals whisper with an electronic edge. There is a slight echo to her voice that makes it seem like a warble from between the colourful tones. Her performance wraps around an imaginary dialogue that brings the story of unlikely yet relentless hardship and cynical cruelty. The vocals leave you with a lot to think about as they flow with melodic waves into spoken words that whisper into nothing.
‘Blue Boy, Babylon Girl’ wavers into your ears with a reaching synth sound. The music feels like it extends far beyond your sight only to come back for a sombre waltz. There are a lot of layers to the music with diverse and eclectic sounds coming together in the high levels. The shuffling beats enter with the vocals allowing them to wash your sense with decadent richness. While the melody inundates your senses, the vocals bring a tormented yet undeniable love to your ears. There is a touch of purity to the vocals that is twisted into a sacrifice that is wonderfully poetic.
‘Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues’ is slightly different to the other tracks on the EP as it is a tribute to an artist whose influence is woven into the lyrical style of the duo. A personal and slightly minimalistic interpretation of Bob Dylan’s masterpieces, the track is a wonder of electronic folk. The stripped-back melodics are tender and plucks in your ears perfectly. The vocals lift something from your chest as they bring a tenderness to the lyrics. There is a light sigh to the performance that makes you want to sink back into them. This feeling is enhanced by the electronic swell that creates a rather atmospheric environment. As the track progresses, the swell of the electronic tones increases like a gentle cresting.
‘A Queen with No Head’ brings a wonderfully rich alt-folk feeling to the music with a breezy vocal opening. The opening vocal line makes you think of open meadows that rustle with the breeze winding its way through the grass. The plucked tones of the melody are tender but start to take a darker turn as the song continues. As the darkness creeps into the sound, there is a building tension that eats into the easy flows of the opening leaving you in a swirling mire. The lyrics are creative in their imagery as they bring an intense story to your ears that carries a much deeper meaning. There is something about this song that roots you in place and you can’t seem to break away, not that you really want to.
The EP comes to a close with ‘No One Around’ which draws you in with an ethereal choral tone. The angelic notes of the opening drop for a trip-hop movement that undulates with silken darkness. There is an interesting contrast of tones with the ethereal and darker underbelly of the track slipping and sliding against each other. The haziness that filled the first strains of the track give way to a paced twang and clap of beats. It is a rather bewitching movement that sinks into your brain and demands that you continue listening.
Through the tracks of Locked In, mLau roots you to the spot and highlight the diversity of their eclectic alt-folk sound. Each track has a very distinct feeling that inundates your senses leaving you stuck in place as the music washes over you. While intense and creative, each track has something deeper resting just beneath the surface and waiting for you to find it.
Find out more about mLau on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
