Run For Cover confirm themselves as one the go-to labels for “soft” emo by releasing Mini Trees debut album, Always In Motion. The album is a collection of fragile, mostly acoustic songs, whose arrangements can be loosely reconducted to the recent Sufjan Stevens and his suffused acoustic soundscapes.
The gentle introspection that filters through the songs (“Spring”) makes of Always In Motion a thoughtful and pleasant companion, even if devoid of truly extraordinary songwriting feats. From its diminutive stance comes also its appeal, a sort of disinterest that is actually enjoyable. Small but uplifting chord changes become the sort of daily pleasure that you sometimes look for in music (“Carrying On”).
Admittedly, there is almost nothing you haven’t already heard if you have been following the latest releases in female songwriting especially, and in this respect the album struggles to find a defining moment. All songs sound more than competent, with chords progressing seamlessly between major and minor forms (“Underwater”), and arrangements similarly drifting from bass to treble frequencies, but there are few really emotional peaks to speak of.
That being said, there is also nothing in here that should prevent one from listening to Always In Motion and, potentially, find something meaningful for that particular moment. “Moments In Between”, for instance, hosts a pretty endearing melody, and there’s plenty here to warrant repeated investigation.
The album has been released on September 17th on Run For Cover.
