Morning Crush’s latest EP is an intimate look into Tim Ostrowsky-Thomas’ personal life through a colourful assortment of alternative folk sounds. The album also brings out political themes and songs that delve into protest and more, combining the personal with the political. There’s a melodic comparison to be drawn here with the folk and song writing aspects of a CSNY, but with a more focused and domineering electric guitar giving a fully fledged rock shimmer over the tracks. Ostrowsky-Thomas’ has always believed and used music as a force for good, as an outlet to speak on social issues, mental health, and more. He’s busked for days on end, namely during 2015 for the Syrian crisis and two years after for a mental health charity.
I admire Brand New House for its undying sense of sincerity. On ‘Basement’, there’s a line in the chorus ‘I still kind of wish I had a heart that was pure’. I don’t really know why, but that singular line, however simple it may be, is so resoundingly poignant and relatable. You yearn too good, but you never know if you’re a person who truly is pure and well intentioned at heart. The record is in totality a straightforward piece of indie folk that heavily uses the acoustic guitar and emotive song-writing as its anchor. The goodness of its character sets it apart, with songs that are as immediately relatable as ‘Better Friend’ just inspiring you to do more and be better for the people around you. There’s also more electric, rock centric pieces like ‘Peaceful Mind’ that are heavier albeit just in the context of the much more mellow and lighter record.
Brand New House is a record that’s bound to have you feeling a bit more cheery about your day ahead and life around. It’ll have you introspecting, thinking about your relationships, how to be better, and how to make the world a more accepting space.