Mae – Multisensory Aesthetic Experience

In the mid 00’s there was a band named Mae.  It seemingly came out of nowhere with big artistic aspirations, and lived up to the acronym, Multisensory Aesthetic Experience, making up the MAE brand.  The level of confidence could have worked against them in that they presented themselves as something of a listening “experience” above and beyond simple melody.  If the claim sounds somewhat pompous, you’d be reminded that this was a time when Angels and Airwaves were claiming to reinvent music, and The Early November had released a triple disc themed album that included an entire disc featuring the protagonist reliving his childhood traumas in conversation with a psychiatrist.

Mae never assumed such wild claims, but the prologue of their sophomore album, The Everglow, insisted that each song was part of a story experience that required companion pictures in the accompanying CD booklet.  I actually never had the booklet, but this particular album still stood out for me amongst an emo scene that always had a hard time looking beyond shadows and depression.  The band has existed quietly over the past decade, taking a brief hiatus and releasing a series of themed EPs (of which the new album borrows about half of its tracks), but finally returns for their first full length in over ten years.  

The latest effort serves as their self-titled, un-acronymed album, Multisensory Aesthetic Experience, featuring the band back at what they do best – offering uplifting artistry with a little more effort than is probably necessary.  Mae has always offered soft, minimalist indie-esque sounds by way of maximizing acoustic, electronic and string instruments.  The combination of subtle violins, occasional autotune-like flutter, and acoustic chords make for a mellow but dynamic experience.

Opener “Sing” is a slow burning grower, setting the album’s pace as one of complimenting harmonies and melody.  While they have most in common with the bands mentioned above, the indie-esque elements are pleasant throwbacks to those like Ra Ra Riot and Minus The Bear.  Songs like “No Promises (10001001001100)” juxtapose this range amidst melodies that are at once both intensely intimate and pleasantly catchy.  Others like “No Promises” infuse elements of sonic asymmetry, landing somewhere in the ballpark of math rock without all of the heady pomp. Hopeful lyrics that see the best in human kind.  “A Race For Our Autonomy” serves as both a highlight and quintessential Mae offering in scope and sound.  It’s a six minute long exposition built around the question, “where do we go from here?” and an inquisitive, open mindset.  Paired alongside the constant poppy highlights of “Let It Die,” the more cinematically aspirational moments mostly overcome the danger of feeling a little cheesy.  But with a runtime of nearly sixty minutes with only eleven tracks, there are some more generic passages that could have been culled, like “Simple Words,” without losing the atmosphere of direction.  

Overall, Multisensory Aesthetic Experience is an enjoyable return for Mae.  The cinematic feel is certainly ambitious and at times a little much for those looking for some simple pop-punk or indie, but if that’s what you’re looking for, you should just stick with your old Reliant K playlists.  Multisensory Aesthetic Experience is a fine declaration of Mae’s present trajectory, and even with a few pacing issues, is both an easy and deep listen.