If I’m being quite honest, I’m fading fast. I should probably give in and head to bed but I’ve been on such a hot streak of amazing EPs tonight that I just can’t stop. Let’s see if Desktop Alarm Clock’s ‘Min/Max’ continues that streak!
It’s pretty fitting that the opening track of this EP is titled “Get More Sleep” and honestly, this song hit me just as perfectly as the title. Calming but full of an undeniable sense of passion, this first song stays fairly quiet throughout but there are waves of movement and power that come crashing in beautifully. The vocals felt a bit rough for me at times but they also had a charming rawness to them that grew on me quickly. There’s a DIY spirit heard in this opening track that I hope continues on throughout this quick four-song EP.
The charm of Desktop Alarm Clock continues into “Maintenance”. Although at face value you could call this song simple, I found a complexity to it that swept me off my feet. From the word choice to the way they are strung together to the way they fit with the almost lo-fi feeling instrumentation, this track was anything but simple to me. It hit me right in the feelings, right in the gut, and left me falling deeper and deeper in love with the sound and rawness of Desktop Alarm Clock. On the submission I got for this EP, it said “this is music for sitting in your car in the rain, avoiding the world for just a few more minutes.” and honestly, I couldn’t think of a better way to describe how this song made me feel.
“The Medium Place” brought a very B-side Bright Eyes vibes to the table which I, naturally, fell in love with. I know that on the first track I called the vocals “rough at times” but, as this third track played through, I realized I wouldn’t have the vocals in this EP be any other way. The honesty it brings to the table is just pure perfection and really adds a personal touch to a clearly highly personal recording. You get a sense of heaviness with every word being sung while the songs never go super dark. That’s a fine line to balance but Desktop Alarm Clock balances it perfectly.
“Version” wraps this EP up and brings with it the most polished sounding track on this release. Don’t get me wrong, there’s still that distinct rawness of Desktop Alarm Clock heard loud and clear in this track but there’s just something a bit busier about the instrumentation in this song that, when hearing in the context of the full release, feels like a way of tying up loose ends. Although I never wanted the journey that is ‘Min/Max’ to end, it couldn’t have ended on a better note.
I’m exhausted and don’t know if I have another review in me but ending my night of amazing EPs with a release as amazing as this one is a damn good night if you ask me!
My Favorite Track(s): “Maintenance”
For Fans Of: Raw Beauty; Honest Lyrics
Daydream-ability: 7 out of 10
What My Cats Thought Of It: Artie slept on the back of the couch; Autumn sat at the foot of the stairs waiting for me to go to bed
How Badly I Want To See This Performed Live: 6.4 out of 10
My Overall Rating: 7 out of 10
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