Album Review: Mid Ayr - Elm Way

21 April 2017 | 1:57 pm | Nic Addenbrooke

"One part pop-rock, three parts dream-gaze, in almost that exact measure."

Mid Ayr's latest four-track is one part pop-rock, three parts dream-gaze, in almost that exact measure.

Going through Elm Way is like taking a late summer detour through an innocuous suburban estate. Sure, it's a well manicured piece of civil construction but it lacks some of the gritty thrill you get from more rustic projects. Underneath all the production it becomes much harder to connect with Hugh Middleton's meaning, especially after revisiting last year's earnestly lo-fi leanings. Hopefully down the road is a middle ground in the shape of an album that blends the best of both.