Stream: Mutual Benefit “Love’s Crushing Diamond” (exclusive)

03 Oct 2013 — Andi Wilson

In mid-may and a week after I moved to a new world (the city of Brooklyn), it was the rainiest night I had experienced living on the east coast thus far. Which is saying a lot due to the fact that I'm originally from Seattle. I was on my way to meet many people that play an extremely crucial part in this scene's DIY culture. One who at time feels more like kin, the ever-loving, Jordan Lee. I was so ecstatic to finally see a live set from Mutual Benefit. Though I had fallen for every past release (Figure in Black, Drifting EP,  Spider Heaven, Mutual Spirits, I saw the sea, and The Cowboy’s Prayer) a sensation was gathering in my thoughts that there could be no expectation for this performance, besides an unfamiliar set of emotions.

Jake Falby joins the MB set on violin, raising the level of intensity a bar higher. Myself and many other locals hear the single, “Advanced Falconry” for the first time that night. Looking amongst the audience, it was apparent how in awe we all were of these polished yet unheard ballads being performed for us in the cozy apartment. You immediately knew these songs had been constructed over years of time. It has been a long time coming for this album to be shared with the world.

Love's Crushing Diamond will intrigue your heart to flutter with anticipation, find balance in places you never knew, and shoot darts of nostalgia into your mind. The production and growth we are so kindly treated to with this album is remarkable. By virtue of all Lee’s travels, every track completes a different journey or story. Some are lullaby-ish goodbyes, others remind us of romance and heartbreak, and the rest of lush-like wanderlust. The recording process of LCD was very much a collaborative effort with contributions from members of Cry Guy, and Lizard Kisses, adding many more layers of unique energy to the album as a whole. As the album begins with “Strong River”, we profoundly end with “Strong Swimmer”. The cycle of thoughts orbit around your head at such abundance that these pop gems are difficult to not play on repeat.

Soon to be released by Brooklyn newcomers, Soft Eyes, Love's Crushing Diamond will be available on 12" vinyl and handmade, screen printed cd-r. If your heart so desires, you can catch Mutual Benefit perform at Father/Daughter's official CMJ showcase as well as a handful of northeastern dates in November.

You can pre-order the album here or feast your ears and stream in its entirety below:

In case you missed it, NFOP’s Tonje Thilesen also filmed this breathtaking session with Mutual Benefit last year:

 

/ talk softly, walk slowly /