https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHBT-F-3SzM
Before you read any of this post, watch the video above. It is absolutely stunning. As the spectral guitar line is joined by echoing synths, a beautiful vocal line floats above it all. A verse builds, culminating with “We make mistakes, we leave them by the door. I run to you. I run to you, love” And then another voice: (God? The greatest lover of all) calls out in the quiet “Don’t quit on me, don’t quit on me. Please trust me now, I won’t hurt you love”. A song about keeping going, accepting and giving love, even and especially when all seems lost, “I Run To You” may not be about God at all (I have a habit of finding God in strange places where he’s not meant to be), but it feels like one of the most honest worship songs you’re ever likely to hear. Not that I’m an EDM aficionado (at all) but this feels like the missing link between James Blake and the great songs he wishes he could write..
Missio’s debut EP only gets better from here. “Missio Dei” (a phrase I thought I’d left behind at theological college) pulses with passion, as the almost chanted vocals crescendo to a chorus of “Amen’s” at the song’s conclusion. The song is minimalist in its composition, no overbearing competition for instrumental and harmonic space here, but yet feels full and satisfying.
“Monster” feels brighter, built on a bed of piano and twinkling synth lines, soon augmented by some sterling tom work. “You’re not a monster, I’m not a monster but we have monsters inside our hearts”, the songs’ chorus, speaks of a battle. Am I ok? Am I not ok? Who can tell?
“Who Do I Think I Am?” asks the closing song. And in the chorus, perhaps we have an answer. “Oh God of Abram, God of Isaac, Pull out your sword and lead me home, My vine has withered, my roots have shattered, Pull out your sword and lead me home”. As the following verse states “I dance with the devil, I kinda like it”. Ain’t that the truth. That’s a battle that’s always on.
Each psalm-like track here fulfils Missio’s wish to be minimal yet meaningful in his songwriting. No single note or beat is wasted. His crystal-clear vocals soar and weave over and around the instrumentation, never dominating but always powerful. Whether you take this gorgeous collection of songs as the cry of a heart to God or not, anyone with a love of melody, of harmony and of honest songwriting will find plenty to love here.
“Missio” is released on May 15th.