Major Murphy, the fourpiece based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, have revealed the details of their second album: it’s called Access and comes out through Winspear on April 2. They’ve also shared the album’s opening title track “Access”, with a video.
The new record comes in the wake of a child for singer/guitarist Jacob Bullard and singer/bassist Jacki Warren, and some of that newfound wonder – and fear – can be heard in “Access”. It starts with a chugging guitar that feels like a bit of a throwback to early 2000s alt-rock, but Bullard’s words are fraught with the worries and desires that are brought on by living in the modern age – wanting to be part of something, wanting to make something of your life and love – wanting to have more time than we’re afforded as mere humans. “I’m laying it all on the line” he admits, before Major Murphy take the song into its climb skywards, combining wordless vocals with a steady beat until they reach a placid realm, seemingly above the clouds. “Access” floats in a world of equanimity from this point; even as Bullard admits “nothing is guaranteed / everything is make believe,” there seems to be a newfound hope that keeps Major Murphy cruising into a cathartic and resplendent finale – until we’re jolted out of this dream by samples of sirens and phones ringing, reality making its unwelcome return.
Watch the video for “Access”, filmed and directed by New Archive (Ben Biondo and Chris Cox), below, or listen on streaming platforms.
Major Murphy’s new album Access is out on April 2 via Winspear (pre-order/pre-save). You can find the band on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
