mUmbo – Sky Is Blue (2023)
For approximately three years, indie-rock meets dream-pop meets blues trio mUmbo have been sharing their unique music with the masses. Already featured several times on The Other Side Reviews, we have become accustomed to their sound; however, they continue to surprise us with their eclectic artistry. Along with us singing their praises, mUmbo has received coverage from multiple publications, radio stations and playlists. They have been referred to as “…one of the most distinct yet accessible artists you’ll come across…” (Rising Artists Blog), “…a delightful sensory experience…” (Less Than 1000 Followers), and “…one of the most seductive and diverse things that has emerged in recent times” (Music For All).
Embracing the power of remote collaboration with all its advantages and drawbacks, mUmbo record music across countries. The European trio me through other musical projects but now make original music from home studios in the UK and Italy – Doug MacGowan (electric and acoustic guitars, bass and banjo) and Emma Semple (vocals, violin and viola) in the UK and Antonio Dale (drums and percussion) in Italy. It seems quite a feat but what a masterful feat it is.
Following the single ‘Rollin’ Over’, mUmbo adopts a smoother, slower, more sensual sound in ‘Sky Is Blue’. Unlike the previous single, ‘Sky Is Blue’ places you in a sonic forest filled with hazy fog hanging thick about your head while a soft melody filters through from somewhere. The signature blues-inspired tone is evident with MacGowan’s guitar melding with Dale’s drums and percussion. Add Semple’s vocals and you have an intoxicating arrangement sending chills down your spine.
As a genre-bending group, it can be difficult to stick a label on mUmbo’s music and ‘Sky Is Blue’ is a honing of this eclectic inimitable sound. Yet, while Semple’s dulcet tones bring a blues-filled sensuality, similar to Sade, it is the poetic lyricism that adds another layer of depth to ‘Sky Is Blue’. The group explain that the song is “…about escape and reaching for a blue sky and some clear, fresh air. New starts, new perspectives, there’s always a blue sky waiting for you…if you can only reach it.”
For more from mUmbo, check out their official website, Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
