CURRENTLY // Before the Waves [album] by Magic Man

Before the Waves is the second album by Boston-based band, Magic Man. I discovered their single "Paris" on an 8tracks playlist sometime last year, but never got around to listening to the full album until this summer. Needless to say, I fell in love. 

I listened to at least a few songs off this album on Spotify almost everyday for the entire summer, and lately, most of the songs seem to be finding their way into my everyday. Everyone has those songs or playlists or albums, that when you listen to them, you feel free from the world around you. Before the Waves is one of mine. It's one of those albums that you can listen to for hours on end, hanging on every word. 

The first song on the album, "Texas", starts off with spoken word, "You are about to embark on the most wonderful experience of your life. I will not explain at this moment how or why it works, I don't have the time. Just dance," which never fails to amuse me, and sets the whole tone of the album. It's just really fun to listen to, but also has a lot of meaning behind it. Lyrics like "Don't hold back, don't hesitate, 'cause we've got fire, it's in our blood" and "We'll hold our heads over the rising tide, we'll find our way without the city lights" from "It All Starts Here" remind the listener of a message that is common, "things can and will get better", but without being too literal or cliché about it, allowing the listener to truly get lost in just absorbing it all. Songs like "Every Day" are just plain great for dancing and having a good time, with a repetitive chorus, groovy synthesizer beat, and mesmerizing lyrics like "I keep on dreaming, but I'm wide awake" and "your life's already tangled up in mine". 

Lead vocalist Alex Caplow keeps a relaxed, smooth tone to his voice, making the songs very easy to enjoy, backed with Justine Bowe's incredible but not overdone harmonies. The album falls into one of the many shades of Alternative, landing somewhere in Indie Pop, close to the border of Electronic. Filled with upbeat synthesizer, repetitive hooks, and rhythmic yet simple drum beats, it's one of those albums that you don't have to try hard to listen to, and enjoy.

Before the Waves is one of my current favourites, and probably will be for a long time to come, sure to make you fall in love and get off your feet. 

Find the Before the Waves by Magic Man on Spotify and iTunes.