aaamusic | On 15, Jan 2012

There’s a tantalising moodiness in Mike Marlin’s new single, but ‘This Town’ also holds a maturity and dare I say a depth that surpasses the gloomy pop sensibilities and deceptively sedate pace. If you like Interpol’s take on life, with whispers of David Bowie and the instrumentation somewhat akin to Gary Numan in a vaguely sunny field, you’ll fall for this. It’s not exciting, but the understated gentle beauty of the song and the catchy yet meaningful lyrics make any attempt by Coldplay to touch those among us who do bravely accept the onset of an age upwards of 27 look like cynical 90s Disney twaddle. It’s not groundbreaking, it may not change lives, but it does give a slightly more appealing option than the usual all-or-nothing dilemma between total alternative and shallow MOR drudgery that I’m sure many people will face over time.

 

Katie H-Halinski