Paris Texas - MID AIR

Technically the duo’s debut album, with 2021’s double-header of ‘Red Hand Akimbo’ and ‘Boy Anonymous’ - the latter featuring blistering breakthrough single ‘Heavy Metal – billed as an EP and mixtape respectively, that ‘MID AIR’ comes across as a snapshot of the world via Paris Texas’ collective eyes makes complete sense. Giving up none of their penchant for mixing up styles as they see fit – gnarly opener ‘tenTHIRTYseven’ pivots to the much smoother, more R&B-based ‘Split-Screen’ in the blink of an eye - it’s simultaneously on edge, celebratory and humorous. Take ‘Everybody’s Safe Until…’ where a hook of “There’s people tryna kill me / Other than me” is delivered in an almost joyous manner while the track itself turns increasingly claustrophobic. Or ‘Ain’t No High’, which uses an emo-rock palette with truly tender lyrical delivery, only to fade out with the type of sound effects that suggest the song’s ‘high’ is not in fact emotional in nature. Best of the bunch is ‘Full English’, a track which pairs a crunchy, repetitive Blur-like riff with an inventory of Britishisms: “Cheerio with my London bitch / Nando’s with my London bitch,” “Tesco with my London bitch / Let’s go with my London bitch.” Not always an easy listen, but a consistently thrilling ride.