In the weeks just before Sandy, I started listening to a song called “Hurricane” by local band MS MR. It’s one of those songs that instantly stick, so seeing the band became priority during CMJ last month. Lyrics suggest breaking down walls and letting in love, a relevant theme for hard-boiled city living. The singer opens up about being afraid of losing love and fearing the darkness in her own heart.
The images in the video are equally evocative. And at the moment, they’re a welcome distraction from the news this past week, which built up tension as much as listening to the wind during the storm or being locked in. Down time isn’t so common in this city, and being without the train? Well, it’s just not what you live in NYC for. Granted, if you have power, didn’t get your car smashed by a tree, didn’t have serious flooding, then there isn’t much to complain about. But even when all is functioning normally, heading into cold, shortened days in Gotham can feel dark and stormy. MS MR makes songs that meld choral backups with synth, topped off by a singular voice that perfectly expresses how it feels to tackle the city alone with the lights out.
More about MS MR live.
