London-based duo The Mad Mile may be a new name in the music scene, but its members, Adam Pickering and Matthew Goodbody, are far from newcomers. Their collaborative history, particularly in the influential math-rock outfit General Admin, suggests seasoned musicianship. Now, with The Mad Mile, they turn their focus towards the evocative textures of post-rock and shoegaze.
The new project takes its name from the shared childhood street of Pickering and Goodbody – a 'Mad Mile' far from their current London life. Now grown up, the band pull potent emotions from the distance between then and now, forming a unique and spacious sound that delves into the anxieties born of isolation and displacement, heavily influenced by the bleak, industrial landscapes of Northern England.
A complex and mesmerising collection of tracks, The Made Mile’s first release is a study of contrasts, both musically and thematically. Trudging tempos lay a foundation for bursts of fierce percussion, while melodic vocals offer a bittersweet counterpoint to the jagged soundscapes, weaving an atmosphere that's both hauntingly beautiful and unsettling. Expertly channelling the moody intensity of their influences into something entirely fresh.
Adding to the intrigue of 'Skyliner' is its rapid creation, with the entire EP written, recorded, mixed, and mastered in a whirlwind month-long session. It’s spontaneous, speaking to an intensity from the duo that is echoed in the music itself. With mastering by Mark Roberts, there is a gentle polish that adds to the accessibility, but all the while, the EP remains fiercely and wonderfully unique.
In perfect form, The Mad Mile has arrived on the scene with a fully formed and powerfully evocative sound, ensuring 'Skyliner' is a debut not to be missed.
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