This winter’s been the mildest in decades for the city that never sleeps. But for one dark and stormy night, winter showed her true, cold colors, with a nasty chill and a decent clip of rain. In New York though, nothing stops the people. So with their “bring it” mentality, fans of the indie band Milagres jammed into the tiny Mercury Lounge to see what all their buzz was about.
Opening with “Gentle Beast,” an anthemic tune that set a seasonal mellow mood, it all started happening. This band is super chill. Comparisons of their sound bring Radiohead, early Coldplay and even Grizzly Bear to mind. And that was from the spectators we spoke with. Personally, the combination of front man Kyle Wilson’s voice, teamed with the quintets soft, yet powerful pop melodies and synthed out piano play — created an 80’s Depeche Mode and Tears for Fears feel, with a M83 ish kicker.
What the heck is this guy talking about?
Taking our cues from the tracks “Glowing Mouth,” (the title of their latest album) and “Halfway,” we’re going to go ahead and say that’s where we see them. It’s definitely a little unfair, or more so just off, for people to compare them to the first bands we mentioned, especially when Milagres is just starting to nail down and discover their unique sound. A sound that’s still growing, a sound that falls into an area reminiscent of an old familiar girlfriend you used to love, except with a new twisty appeal you can’t quite put your finger on yet. You’re not sure what it is, but you better believe the potential of it, is all intriguing.
Closing out with “For Disposal,” and “Fifty Fourteeners,” Milagres went from grandma speed, to Macho Man Randy Savage intensity in it’s final run. And this surge was engineered brilliantly by a drummer who flat out, worked it the fuck out. He was the heart and soul of this crew on this evening. Now engrossing the crowd in all of this, everyone seemed to roar and come to life towards the end. All signs of a great live show. For now, the jury is still out on the fellas from Brooklyn, but we can say with certainty — they’re more than relevant, and something special might just be a brewing.
WRITER | PHOTOGRAPHER: Del Toro Alma
SET LIST:
1. Gentle Beast
2. To Be Imagined
3. Glowing Mouth
4. Lost in the Dark
5. Fright of Thee
6. Quiet Street
7. Here to Stay
8. Gone
9. Halfway
10. For Disposal
11. Fifty Fourteeners
