Some of the best music discoveries come through recommendations from friends. In the case of MEDIC, my friend Steph (a fellow Mutemath superfan) told me about them a couple of years ago. Olympia is my first go at really digging into this band thought.
Before I go any further, yes – if you like Mutemath, you’ll probably like MEDIC.
Olympia brings to the table a sort of indie pop that sounds fuller than most bands in the genre I’ve heard. I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but even though I tend to be biased in favor of the genre in my reviews as of late, I recognize that the market is oversaturated with bands trying to break into this sphere. I only seek to bring to the table for discussion that are bringing something different to the genre or that are pursuing the sound exceptionally well, and MEDIC score on both counts.
Given how much I’ve written about this particular genre, I don’t think discussion of this album track by track would be productive, so let me try another approach.
Last week I crossed a bucket list item off. Seeing Coldplay. Arguably the forefathers of the modern indie/alt pop movement. They bring a certain poignancy and warmth to a lot of their songs, and basking in the afterglow of their Head Full of Dreams Tour I would argue positioned me in an ideal mindset to digest MEDIC’s Olympia. Does this album feel generally optimistic? Check. Warm? Check. Dense yet not overpowering? Check. Catchy? Check. Acoustic guitar getting worked into atmospheric tracks? Check.
Am I saying MEDIC is the next Coldplay? No. But there are characteristics that can’t be denied in this conversation. MEDIC aren’t the next anything. They are their own band, darn it!
So what is unique about MEDIC? For one, the weaving of several influences to create their own inspiring, reverent sound. In addition to elements of Coldplay and Mutemath, I hear a bit of Paper Route. Though the vocals are very distinct from JT Daly, they apply some of his vocal techniques. MEDIC trades in the summery and ethereal directions these sorts of bands usually take for something that gives me both a feeling of warmth and the sense that the songs should be performed in a cathedral.
This band has been in the fringes of my mind for awhile now, and it’s time you joined me and moved them into the scope of your view.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/271423994″ /]
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