Here We Are Instead

Field Music “The Noisy Days Are Over”

The Brewis brothers of Field Music have focused an incredible amount of their creative energy over the past decade on writing music on the topic of aging and maturity, and trying to live an acceptable “normal” life. Those themes suit their music, which has this neat, orderly sound to it, and a fairly anxious and uptight sense of rhythm. It’s neurotic but not overtly so; it’s music that conveys a very British “stiff upper lip” sensibility. But as much as the songs explore a desire to be normal and mature, there’s always a tension and wit that challenges this, and either highlights the absurdity of this sort of repression or questions whether or not this is any sort of path to happiness. “The Noisy Days Are Over” is written like breaking bad news to yourself – sorry, you’re too old for that now, it’s time to be an adult, it’s time for things to be dull and predictable and safe. It’s giving voice to societal pressures, and calling out the idea that you ought to be special, some exception to the order of society. That you should keep having fun and feeling alive when so many other people have moved on from all that. I think you’re meant to take all of this with a grain of salt, but it’s very easy to listen to this and decide that, yes, you’re the immature and selfish one, and time’s running out for you.

Buy it from Amazon.