The Bunk Beds - 'Middle Child' (Album Review)

Sometimes you happen across an artist that instantly catches your ear on first play. That's kind of how I heard of The Bunk Beds. I stumbled on The Bunk Beds late one night while checking out some new music on Bandcamp and decided to click play on the teaser sampler for Middle Child. The second I heard "Promise Ring" I knew I was interested in hearing the full album.

The Bunks Beds debut album Middle Child is a lo-fi album that reminds me of earlier days when I first heard Bright Eyes. The Bunk Beds don't necessarily sound like Bright Eyes, although there are some similarities to older Bright Eyes material. It's more in the nature of the recording, the authenticity of the songs, and the ability to do so much with so little in creating a great sound and a vibe. Heck, over half the songs on the album barely break a minute and a half. It's an album chocked full of songs that have a somewhat lo-fi, bedroom recorded vibe that shines with that authenticity and heart that so many artists search to attain in musical form. The album moves along gracefully and the recording style adds a quaintness to the songs that connects with the listener in an interesting way. The scratches of fingers on strings and the warm sounds of the guitar compliment the vocals. The intro lyrics to "Promise Ring" have an earnest and sincere nature to them and it's a standout song on the album. "Middle Child (interlude)" is a nice, somber song that transitions into "Never Knows Best" really nicely. I like the acoustic strumming with the sparse keys slightly higher in the mix peaking with emotions.

I'm quite happy that I stumbled upon this project. It's not often that you hear such a stripped down album presented so nicely. Middle Child is an exceptional album. I think The Bunk Beds have some pretty big potential and I would highly recommend listening to this album. I can definitely see it growing on me more and landing fairly high on my 'albums of the year list' for 2016. I think if this was released wide spread on a label like Topshelf or Run For Cover Records then this album would be garnering some massive buzz. Maybe The Bunk Beds are headed that way. I hope so. In any case you better get on board and give Middle Child a listen and say you were there first! Check this one out. I'm really enjoying it a lot!

Listen to the teaser sampler for Middle Child HERE and get ready for the full album on on August 20th.