Before this year comes to an end I feel like I need to write about one of my favorite releases in 2019: Something New by Michael Barrow and the Tourists. The five-men band from Utah released their new EP on the 6th of this month. It features 5 songs and every single one of them is brilliant.
I discovered the band this year while going through the submissions for my “Why doesn’t everyone know these songs?“ playlist. I remember having listened to about 20 submissions that day and my head was already full of music when suddenly “Never Stop“ came on. My head became clear again and suddenly I just wanted to sing along and really enjoy the music in my headphones. The band combines an arrangement that has a retro feel with very modern songwriting and vocals. I was really looking forward to hear the full EP and when it hit the platforms I was not disappointed.
Listening to Something New is like going on a musical journey. The songs speak to you through love, they tell you stories about falling, loving so much that it hurts, getting up again and becoming something new out of it. So, here’s my personal emotional journey through these five songs:
The EP starts with a question “What is it for?“ A song that questions everything after being hurt badly. After this vulnerable tune the band picks you up with the upbeat heartbreak hymn “No such thing (as getting over you)“ that has the weird power to make me want to dance and cry at the same time. But heartbreak makes us grow and there is hope in “Something New“, the title song that shines with some breathtaking lyrics: “Take the pieces of my broken heart and make yourself a work of art“. The EP closes on the bright side of love with “Never Stop“ and “Sweet Honey“, two bold love songs that make no excuses and celebrate the joy of loving.
Something New is an EP that will make you laugh, dance and maybe cry. It takes you on a journey through heartbreak and love – told by great vocals, an amazing lead guitar, great keyboard playing and a brilliant rhythm section. It’s really really good music that no one should miss out.
– Musician and writer Luna Keller‘s recent EP, Alice is in Love with the Mad Hatter, is well loved across the globe and gaining new fans every day. For more of her music and info go to: Soundcloud, Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or her lovely artist’s website. She also curates the playlist, “Why doesn’t everyone know these songs?”
