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Thursday, October 20, 2016

The Heard

New Slumberland band Mercury Girls one to watch, with Balance and Composure and Foxing (The Social)

Posted By Bao Le-Huu on Thu, Oct 20, 2016 at 1:52 PM

THIS LITTLE UNDERGROUND

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Jen Cray
Mercury Girls at the Social

Philadelphia indie-pop band Mercury Girls, who just made their Orlando debut (Oct. 19, The Social), have scant output so far. But their latest promising 7-inch is on excellent taste-making indie Slumberland Records.

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Mercury Girls at the Social

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Mercury Girls at the Social

As far as first impressions go – on record but especially live – they know how to make you fall hard and fast. They neither take it slow nor play hard to get. They just max out the charm and dive headlong in a spiraling freefall of sparkling melodies and noise-pop texture. It’s a gust of swoon and soar that comes in one breathless speed and in perpetual updraft. When something this enchanting comes on with such velocity and such singleness of mind, all you can do is submit.

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Jen Cray
Foxing at the Social

After the fizz and shine of Mercury Girls, the polished, progressive neo-emo of St. Louis’ Foxing was a little bit of a wet bed. What’s undeniable about them, though, is that they work with craft, clarity and drama. Because feelings are serious, guys. An actual violin was involved. Really.

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Foxing at the Social

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Foxing at the Social

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Foxing at the Social

But even all that was no candle next to the gushing bombast of headliner Balance and Composure, who pump modern emo with Muse ambition.

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Balance and Composure at the Social - JEN CRAY

Jen Cray
Balance and Composure at the Social

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Balance and Composure at the Social

Sleek sonics, high theater and flashy lighting rig, this is emotional rock that’s built for arenas. Whatever your appetite for melodrama is, these guys at least have sturdy songs that translate grandly and a full grasp on the mileage of showmanship.

click to enlarge

Jen Cray
Balance and Composure at the Social

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This Little Underground is Orlando Weekly's music column providing perspective, live reviews and news on the city's music scene.

Follow Bao on Twitter (@baolehuu)
Email Bao: baolehuu@orlandoweekly.com

Tags: this little underground, the heard, orlando music news, orlando concerts, orlando shows, orlando music, bao le-huu, jen cray, mercury girls, slumberland records, foxing, balance and composure, emo, noise-pop, Image

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