Record Review: Mise En Scene – Still Life On Fire

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Genre: Indie/Pop/Rock
Rating: A+

 

Mise en Scene has exploded over the last year gaining attention in Paris, England, Australia and Germany but is still playing small clubs when it returns, as it must, to their hometown of Winnipeg. Perhaps this will change with the release of Still Life on Fire. I admit, I have seen Mise en Scene three or four times in the last couple of years and came away underwhelmed by their live performance.  But…this record has been a true eye opening experience. Stefanie Blondal Johnson’s vocals are passionate, with real emotional depth and  a stunning, shimmering quality that was missing live.

There is a savage energy that is found in punk, spanked guitar, pinched organs and the pounding drums of Jodi Dunlop. But there is also a heavy dose of 1980’s pop with lots of harmonies and synth under currents – think Bikini Kill, early Blondie or Garbage.
The first single “Closer” blasts out of my speakers like a laser beam of angst and anguish. Johnson’s abused vocal screams tear into your skull while the flaming staccato drums and the fuzz drenched crushing bass of Cory Hykawy pound the rest to mush…in a good way. It’s a great single.
There are times while listening to Johnson’s vocals, for example in “Waster”, I was thrilled to discover her reminding me of Nico Case; high praise indeed, as Nico is one of Canada’s best female voices.
Title-track “Still Life On Fire” suddenly changes the record from aggressive punk to a more, dare I say it, sunnier vibe with a compelling bass line, droplets of piano, wiry synth and jangly guitar underpinning a softer compelling vocal line that really showcases the richness and quality of Johnson’s vocals. It’s a great change of pace and another killer single.
“Young Leo” is all pointy and punk, but wonderfully brimming with life and youth. This is the tune that you want blasting out of the car stereo as you head to Grand Beach on a hot, sunny afternoon.
Finally you hit “Outro (Everything)” and again it is astounding. It is a bit classical, stunningly beautiful and far too short.
This could very well be the best record released this summer and a candidate for the best record of the year.
Now, can they translate this masterpiece to the stage and become unstoppable?

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Grab a copy of Still Life On Fire on iTunes, Google Play Music or stream on Spotify.

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