Similar artists: Free Throw, Mom Jeans, Sorority Noise
Recommended songs: “Listen To Your Favorite Songs,” “Time Frame,” “Breeze In July”
Midwest emo trio Tiny Moving Parts (Dylan Mattheisen, William Chevalier, Matthew Chevalier) dropped their newest self-released album, Deep in the Blue, on Nov. 15. Their 9th full-length album since their formation in 2008, it truly displays their mastery of each of their respective instruments as well as their sound as a whole.
The album opens with the single “Before I Go.” This track perfectly sets the tone for themes that will be present throughout the album, with a lot of water and weather imagery being used to represent different emotions. It also sees the band play with some electronic elements, something not often heard in their previous releases.
We head straight into the title track, exploding right in with the chorus. The opening lyrics “I wish I had eighteen arms,” are signature Tiny Moving Parts, as they pull you in with a seemingly strange sentiment that’s quickly tied back to relatable emotions. The quick, crisp guitar melodies and percussion drive us to the bridge, where the narrator searches for peace with the repetition of the lyric “no one would hear me / deep in the blue.”
Some glitchy effects on the instrumentation push us right into “Dizzy,” the longest song on the album at just over 3 minutes. Musically softer than most of the others, it’s really carried by Matthew Chevalier’s bass. The lyrical imagery stands out, with Mattheisen describing being caught in a tornado, but finding comfort in the chaos and beginning to dissociate – the band truly has a knack for using Midwestern scenes to convey emotion.
The following “Listen To Your Favorite Songs” begins with a stripped down intro before we feel the full force of Mattheisen’s rough, earnest vocals. Through the lyrics, it’s clear that someone has given him advice: “you say to calm down, cheer up / Listen to your favorite songs / Listen to your favorite songs,” and we understand through his delivery how trivial this advice can seem when someone is in a truly dark place. A subtle synth and layered harmonies add depth to the already emotional soundscape. Mattheisen sounds almost defeated as he repeats “listen to your favorite songs” at the end, driving home the message that feeling better isn’t quite so simple.
“Time Frame” emphasizes that we can’t let precious moments slip by, that they need to be cherished and taken advantage of. It really picks up around the 1:30 mark with a breakdown featuring emphatic drums, quick technical guitar melodies, and Mattheisen’s raw, powerful vocals. “I’ll Be There” stands out for its reassuring lyrics, in which Mattheisen sings “if the current’s too strong to swim through / or the winter’s too cold to bear / keep your eyes wide open / you know that I’ll be there.” Listeners can easily take these words and apply them to themselves, finding comfort in the track.
The purely instrumental “Paul Bunyan’s Theme Song” serves as an interlude with twinkling percussion underneath the band’s signature mathy guitar melodies. Clocking in at about 45 seconds, the composition adds a bit of hope, optimism, and positivity in the midst of an emotional album.
We fade right into “The Cure (But Not Really),” starting off with a melodic electric guitar riff. The emotional lyrics gain traction during the second half of the song with the band’s passionate delivery. We hear Mattheisen describe a feeling of discomfort and say “I think it’s perfect time for a change” before pleading with listeners to “run with me.” The song holds a feeling of nostalgia as well as an almost desperate desire to escape in order to grow and change.
Mattheisen’s punky vocals welcome us into “Breeze in July,” which takes on a melancholic tone audible within the guitar as the first verse describes a small flicker of hope within a depressive state. The band hits hard with the words “What’s the point of a house when it’s filled with self-doubt / I’ll ditch the life jacket and swim til I drown.” The constantly changing instrumentals really drive the track forward as it calms and then starts to swell again with the bridge, just like water. All the frustration and angst seem to end in defeat as the band repeats the previous lyric, ending the song on a slower note.
The album’s second single, “Waterbeds P.2,” closes us out. With a driving guitar melody and lyrics hinting at death, the band tells us “it’s time to move on.” The chorus here is almost cinematic, and with some muffled background vocals, we get the effect of being underwater. We end the album with the words “need no casket, need no ribbons / just the water I shall dwell in,” fitting swimmingly with the overarching theme. This song feels like a bittersweet goodbye, the perfect sentiment to end on.
Overall, this album is an elevated take on Tiny Moving Parts’ signature sound. Featuring a heavy dose of impressively technical guitar melodies, a raw vocal style delivered by Mattheisen, and emotional lyrics that sometimes surprise you, Deep in the Blue serves as a testament to the band’s well-earned spot in the Midwest emo scene. We also hear some fresh sounds, like the experimentation with electronics and the use of muffled vocals to provide a more immersive atmosphere.
Lyrically, this album is one of their best, with vivid imagery and an overarching theme of water, ever ebbing and flowing, to carry us all the way through. It’s also clear here how much their Midwestern roots influence their lyrics, with references to Minnesota lakes and rivers throughout as well as the title of “Paul Bunyan’s Theme Song.”
With Deep in the Blue, Tiny Moving Parts has done it again. Longtime fans will appreciate the vocal style and the classic twinkling guitar melodies, while new listeners will be drawn to the fresh electronics and striking lyrics. These songs will be a treat to hear live – and you can do so soon if you’re attending the remaining dates of their North American tour.
Follow Tiny Moving Parts: Instagram // Website // YouTube // Spotify
