Buoyed by an ever-evolving collage of pop influences, Mumble Tide’s work has regularly swung between the sweet and savage, the grungy and glistening. But at its heart is the meeting of two minds: singer-songwriter Gina Leonard and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Rogers. Over the last few years, they have honed their distinctive brand of kaleidoscopic indie, all anchored by Leonard’s crystalline, plaintive voice.
Pressing play on Mumble Tide’s “The Rails” is equivalent to venturing into an unfamiliar yet welcoming part of town. It’s easy to get lost, but you constantly feel right at home. The jazzy undertones from the drums emphasize the longing in the vocals as they soar overhead in a stunning flash of pop influences. The way the lush vocals cascade around the bright acoustics gives this song the feeling of nostalgic pop, but the lyrics bring the performance to modern times. Leonard’s songwriting is poetically potent and is driven by palpable emotions, adding some weight to the lighthearted melodies of “The Rails.” Underneath the staggering vocals is an all-encompassing arrangement. The way the guitars and drums interact with the lyrics helps push the message through your speakers while still feeling free to roam on their own. “The Rails” is a moving piece of pop that breathes life into the genre as Mumble Tide filters their influences through their perspective and emerges with a refreshing ballad.
