Contributing Writer, drowningn00b, has whipped up a review for the indie release ‘Lucky’ by the ever-so-graceful Standing Egg. The album is a gem, and full of life. Highly recommended!

I had my first listen of Standing Egg‘s music with their last album, ‘With‘. The album had several collaborations, including J.ae and Han Soo Hyeong from 3^rd Coast. The feel of the album was warm and cozy, evoking in my mind a good book with hot cocoa, while sharing a blanket with a special someone. Standing Egg makes romantic-leaning music; the kind that couples would play and recite lines from to one another. They are also very “indie”, meaning their music is the type you would normally hear in a coffee-house: soft, unobtrusive, but with the bite to sneak up on you when you least expect it. Their latest release, the mini-album ‘Lucky‘, continues in that same vein.

I have to say, the album cover completely hooked me. I’m not one to care for cover art, and honestly, I can take it or leave it, but this is different. It is soo cute! Clean and simple anime artwork with their signature egg, four colors, and the concept directly on the package. Not only does it make sense for the musical concept, but it conveys exactly what you’re going to get – a short and sweet listening experience with one or two acoustic guitars maximum. I have to give credit to whoever designed this cover because I can’t stop smiling and squealing excitedly whenever I see it. Again, soo cute!

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For this musical foray, Standing Egg took a queue from their “Have You Ever Fell in Love?” single and brought everything down to basics: acoustic guitars and simple vocals. The effect is a more intimate sound, where it’s only you and Egg 2, the main vocalist. It is such a simple concept, but executed so well that I didn’t mind the bare sound, and wish it extended further than these five songs.

Some of these songs invoke a lazy afternoon in the sun, like “쥴리엣” and “I’m Not Yours”. Both are mid-tempo tunes that coast along at a leisurely pace, making you forget you have a deadline and take a second to relax and just enjoy being. “쥴리엣” sets the pace for the album and lets you know the rest of the album will not be up-tempo. “휴식” increases the tempo slightly, gradually adds more instruments and vocal backing with time, leading to a climax that is both subdued and satisfying. Before you know it, your head will be bobbing to the beat unceasingly. “I’m Not Yours” is a bit more complex, with layered vocals and a second guitar that adds dimension. The climax that these two tracks lead to is the cover of Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are”.

This was one of my favorite songs last year – a love song so endearing and Hallmark-perfect, that Mars’ dimples and the clever video were just icing on the cake. Standing Egg stripped the song down, keeping with the mini’s concept, and brought down the vocal level to above a whisper. The effect is so sweet, my teeth ache. The layered guitars and vocals breathe new life to this song, hitting the perfect high note for ‘Lucky’.

It would not be Standing Egg without at least one ballad. The album-ender, “Little Star” is a slow one, akin to a lullaby.  With only one guitar and no sub-vocals, “Little Star” is that song you want to sing to a baby and watch the little one fall to sleep. It is soothing and feels like sleeping on a cloud, light and comforting. “Little Star” feels like a wave goodbye.

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Standing Egg, in my opinion, are masters at creating musical scenery. ‘With’ conveyed a log cabin in the winter. ‘Lucky’ exudes the summer lake feeling, rowing a small boat into the sunset with a loved one. Simple production and intimate vocals make ‘Lucky’ a soothing listening experience not to be missed. Why not take a break with excellent, easy listening music from those that do it best?

You can purchase the album here.

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Hi! My name is Xtian, and I’m a total pop music whore. I’m from NYC and can be seen dancing in the streets with headphones permanently glued to my ears. I may not have had a musical background, but I’m a lover of all things music, so I’m excited to be bringing a new voice to the McRoth’s funhouse. Y’all can email me at paulaboy2505@aol.com, or better yet, follow me on twitter, where I do most of my social media-ing, @drowningn00b. See y’all lataz!