Morning In May bring storytelling lyrics to life with ‘Somewhere In Slumber’

Morning In May is a emo-core band from Cleveland, Ohio, who has recently released an EP, Somewhere In Slumber on Feb. 21, via Needful Things Records.

Somewhere In Slumber is filled to the brim with stand-out storytelling lyrics, exaggerated vocals and diverse melodies. Each track on the EP comes alive in a cinematic way, making fans and new listeners wanting to know what else Morning In May has in store.

Entering in on a bold note is “At Least I Still Have My Personality,” with vocals fading in alongside furious guitars and fearless screams. Lead clean vocalist, Jake Bartolic, theatrically distorts his voice as he tumbles over the words “it’s me mom/your son/speaking of which/I did something in art I call brains on the fridge.” The track continues with an array of melodies paired with harder sounds. “At Least I Still Have My Personality,” embodies the meaning of self reflection, what you should do versus what feels good. A general letter to listeners, would you give up certain things to be equal?

“This Door Only Bought You Five Minutes,” is the next song to hit listeners’ ears. The pounding of the drums wrapped together with the sound of the guitars demands instant attention. The track exudes smooth tempo transitions as Bartolic, exaggerates his voice over the lines “you gotta keep your voice down,” and adds a sinister feel to the words “daddy loves you.” As the song emphasizes a darker lustful meaning throughout the chorus. “You aren’t going anywhere except the fucking basement,” puts forth a ominous tone, creating a visual moment. Generally, the track is about wanting someone to hurt as much as you’re hurting and giving up on the fact that the situation isn’t going to get better but watching it get worse.

Next comes “My Pick Me Ups Are On Pulley Systems,” drawing fans in with familiarity, however as the song plays along, it features a sweeter melody and highlights charming clean vocals. This track showcases the band’s ability to add diversity to their songs. Despite the songs tone of hopefulness its meaning takes a different route. Tackling the topic of being wise enough to know that you don’t really matter and whatever you do is almost meaningless. It’s overthinking yourself out of existence. 

“Stacking Limbs (Because They Made Me Do It),” is a track that will take the air out of the room for anyone who’s listening. The intro places graceful clean vocals alongside an edgy guitar before launching into a screaming first verse. While approaching the chorus, a quick back-and-forth between clean and screaming vocals takes place before hitting the words “you’re the light in my basement.” Quick melodies with smooth transitions are showcased as the track plays out. Listeners are faced with a bridge loaded with frantic chaos in laughter before the lyrics “honey I’m home/did you miss me?” Are strung together over a waltz time signature. The course of the song completely changes in the most elegant way, before ending on the intro. Throughout the track’s cinematic quality it highlights making peace with craziness. It’s coming to terms with a doomed situation and how in that exact moment nothing will get better, it’s about the present feeling and not the future.

Following “Stacking Limbs (Because They Made Me Do It)” comes “Do You Know What We Do To Bullies Around Here” leading with a steady verse that expands into a soft and catchy chorus. The track takes a harder turn towards the end  leaving listeners on their toes. “Do You Know What We Do To Bullies Around Here” is about opening yourself up and making room for another person.

The six-track EP ends on “Everybody’s Innocent In Here, Don’t You Know That,” a track that holds a continuous pop undertone met with the sharp rock melodies throughout. The song highlights the feeling of being trapped and helpless within yourself, your own predicament or head-space, there’s no way out. In addition, “Everybody’s Innocent In Here, Don’t You Know That,” is named after a line in the movie The Shawshank Redemption, that took place where the official music video was filmed at the Mansfield Prison, the Ohio State Reformatory. 

Hear the full EP below, and keep up with Morning In May on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

Looking for THE scene podcast? Look no further. Unplugged w/ Tyler Winters & John Pearman is exactly what you need. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow or Subscribe below!

or another podcast platform.