Single review: Maddie Stenberg – Take Me Home
Artist – Maddie Stenberg
Single – Take Me Home
Release date – 23rd June 2018
Reviewer – Lewis McWilliam, Liverpool Acoustic
I have always wondered what it must be like to work inside the International Space Station. Floating about in zero-gravity. Weightless inside a tube shaped carriage. A space laboratory with insect-like photovoltaic wings, sprawled out so as to catch every little bit of light. And yet, despite the size of this super-structure, one could imagine it to feel quite cramped and claustrophobic. The only thing that would give me comfort is the very thing that makes our lives special. The notion of feeling small when placed against the backdrop of space. Indeed, one could imagine peering out of that porthole, seeing the Earth from 435 kilometres high, looking down at the blue haze and marvelling at the shape of continents. This notion is exactly what comes to mind when listening to Maddie Stenberg’s new single, Take Me Home.
The song opens up like a warm sunset. The last of its rays peering through the sharp edges of mountainous ridges. An ethereal synth flows straight into your brain, subconsciously introducing the band with a few guitar strums and piano chords. Stenberg opens with “one day I sat and watched the shore rush in, I didn’t have worries or anything”. Already we are introduced to voice; well rehearsed in loss, alienation, celebration and joy. Indeed, I think it is fair to say that this song represents both emotional and ‘gravitational’ pull. All the instruments kick off a minute in.
And not only do they sound perfect but they actually fit in perfectly. The drums are sharp and meticulously ‘accented’ to the beat. The bass is smooth, textured and, if I’m honest, very (David) Gilmore-esque. Indeed, one can hear the post-prog modernist sound in the songs production, I hope this was intentional.
The word ‘epic’ could be used to describe this song’s choruses. Fortunately for us, Stenberg manages to take these passages up sky high, to almost stratospheric altitudes. In these moments, the listener will want to sing and sway in syncopation. Stenberg’s recording features some celebrity guests – Alex Smith of The Bohos and Nicola Hardman. They both contribute graciously towards the track’s shine and brilliance. Overall, I would advise everyone go out and listen to this tune – it’s folky, it’s ‘proggy’, it’s rooted, honest and magical. Maddie Stenberg is certainly one to watch out for.
4.5/5
Lewis McWilliam
Review © 2018 Lewis McWilliam, Liverpool Acoustic
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Maddie Stanberg launches her new single at The Zanzibar on Saturday 23rd June. The show features support from Electric Shakedown, Gunmen of the Apocalypse, and Limerance. Full details on the Facebook event page.
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Maddie Stenberg
Facebook – facebook.com/maddiestenbergmusic
Twitter – @MaddieStenberg
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