Fashion Week – Murfreesboro EP

By Ryan G

We’ve been following Fashion Week for awhile now, but I can sense that the Murfreesboro EP marks somewhat of a paradigm shift for the band. Sonically, the band hasn’t changed all that much, but this EP brings a strong sense that the band is here to stay and that they mean business.

Anyone that knows Fashion Week should know that by now the band have become masters of the engaging yet slightly pensive indie rock sound. This can be seen simply by looking at the band’s stage presence. Jason Turner is rarely seen without an acoustic guitar slung, no matter how loud the band’s songs get. This reflects a conscious effort to stay grounded, I think. First single “Even When the Sun Goes Down” is a good example of this. The song is in many ways an exhortation not to give up, creeping toward high energy to serve as a sort of motivator for the listener, yet grounded enough to give the listener a kind of reassurance that everything will be alright.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/248997830″ /]

“Oxygen” is a mellow song with an undertone of lightheartedness. Maybe it’s the music video that features the band going crazy over a game of dodgeball, but this song gives me a feeling one might have when wandering a school after the term has ended for the summer. Quiet can often mean peace or something more somber, but in this case it heralds the approach of something exciting.

“Chutes and Ladders” builds on the energy a bit with some pensive guitar balanced by some assertive proverbial punches to the ear as Jason exhorts us to “Get Up!” in the bridge. It’s probably the most thrilling moment on the EP.

The band settles into a groove in the EP’s final track “Beautiful Mess” with some on point work from bassist Andrew Lee. The chorus reminds of former Tooth and Nail Records band Ruth, with its wistful musing.

Anyone familiar with Fashion Week isn’t going to be surprised by anything on this release. Yet, the band continues to grow within their niche and hopefully they will continue to gain momentum in the region.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_NKCR-evtU[/youtube]