Album Review: Alex Napping’s Mise En Place Is Guitar- Driven Mindfulness
When the intimacy and primal nature of humanity meet, sparks fly. The struggle to accept, deny, refine, and, ultimately, elevate ourself from our animal instinct is not easy, especially when philosophers/ everyone can conclude that humans are social beings, of which measure their visceral/ virtuous tendencies according to relationships. It is in this challenge/ wonder that Alex Napping finds the basis for their new album Mise En Place, and her upcoming, May 13 concert at Alphaville.
When we desire is it divine or devouring? When we dream is it conscious or constructed? When we love is it obsessive or generous? These are the hidden questions that Napping pricks upon like a needle piercing a finished fabric; what was once a smooth meeting of threads, now has hole made by the very thing that made it whole. The irony laced in “Wife and Kidz”, “Pilot Episode”, and “Temperamental Bed” questions how much of us is structured versus spiritual, of which Alex Napping uses self-aware lyricism to analyze. There is never an instant in both vocals and instrumentals, where you do not feel they are a band looking inward. The switched perspective is refreshing, as usually lyrics aim for thoughts on the world rather than thoughts on one’s self. The “switch” helps listeners realize that, in essence, we are the world and the world is us. The interplays of Napping’s voice, thoughts, and situation in “You’ve Got Me”, “Living Room”, and “Get Used To It” make you feel as if Mise En Place is an album for quiet awakenings. While some presume that the path to mindfulness is a grandiose journey/ step, it actually begins like the music of Mise En Place; winding, tranquil, and thoughtfully interconnected. Many times, when human beings are truly stumped by the decisions they have made or have been made for them; they get quiet. Why? Because as animals we do not have all the answers to our environment; we are simply trying to survive it with the believed paths of survival we create for ourselves. Yes, I know that is a really deep thought to muster for an album, but, again, Mise En Place is a simple record for deeper feelings.
Lead singer Alex Cohen’s voice is is like crisp fruit; fresh, sweet, and folksily edible. Her guitar-centric sounds make the nine tracked record feel like a quick but thorough review on what it is to be young, dreamy, in love, lost, and fearfully conscious of how much you have yet to learn. Perhaps, the key to unlocking the unlimitedness and greatness of yourself lies in realizing and marveling, like Alex Napping, at how limited you can be. For More Information On Alex Napping, To See Their Concert On May 13. and To Buy Mise En Place Click Here.
