Mike McKenzie - ‘The Art of Change
Mike McKenzie’s new EP, The Art Of Change, has blown my socks off. The entire EP was funded by Creative Scotland and collaboratively written, arranged, produced, and recorded with independent musicians in Scotland, featuring piano, vocals, and a string quartet. The result is something distinctively contemporary in its nature, despite using older instrumental elements.
“Getting Older” is the first song of the EP and it is beautifully arranged. The strings (as with each song) beautifully complement McKenzie’s vocals. It is a sweet love song and is the perfect length to give you a taste of the musical cake to come.
The track, “Lover,” will be released on September 9th and takes a more somber, melancholic tone. Once again, the piano sets the mood with a soft beating rhythm. The melody has soul and, despite being a piano/string arrangement, it could easily sit in the pop genre… It is reminiscent of some of the writing work of Paul Epworth.
“This House,” is a rousing number and is familiar in its tuneful nature. This is the beauty of Mckenzie’s songwriting– sharing something familiar whilst making it his own. Once again, the production of the strings is excellent, panned within the mix in a way that frames the song as lyrically poetic and beautiful.
“Where do you go?” reminds me, melodically, of some of the slower ballads that Michael Jackson produced between the Bad/Dangerous era. The song is passionate and longing. There is a real sadness that is beautifully carried by the string arrangement, which crescendos before a quieter, more reflective end.