A perfect soundtrack for summer 2019

Legendary desert rock group Yawning Man’s newest album Macedonian Lines is a beautiful release, one that is perfect to begin the summer of 2019 with. Despite being a bigger name in the desert rock world, Yawning Man’s music is still so approachable, making the listener feel as if they should be out in the desert while listening to them play. The group consists of original members Gary Arce on guitar and Mario Lalli on bass, along with Bill Stinson on drums. Through their instrumental music, they capture a laidback essence that will draw listeners away from the worries and troubles of their daily lives, and into a world of fun and relaxation.

The album begins with “Virtual Funeral,” which is the second longest song on the album, coming in at 6:49. It starts off with some memorable bass, accompanied by a drumbeat before the guitar comes in and the song takes off. It has a great beat, and though the song changes only slightly as it goes on, it doesn’t outstay it’s long welcome due to the talent of the group. The second song is the title track “Macedonian Lines.” It’s understandable why they made this song the title of the album, and the first single off of it. It gives off a dreamy vibe, and would perfectly accompany a warm summer night.

Another notable song on the album is beautifully named “Bowie’s Last Breath.” It has a similar beat and sound to the other songs, but that’s part of the magic of the group. They are able to create music that meshes perfectly together, almost as one song, without it getting boring. There is a fantastic guitar riff throughout this song that makes it a standout. It flows perfectly with the rest of the instruments, giving the song a lot of character.

The album ends with “I Make Weird Choices.” This is the longest song on the album, coming in at 7:25. It starts with a slower guitar riff, and the other instruments begin to come in to accompany it as the song goes on. Together, the instruments create a beautiful melody. By the middle of the song, the pace picks up and the instruments begin to meld together to create a perfect climax in the song, and in the album as a whole. Yawning Man definitely knew what they were doing in choosing this song to end the album, as it leaves a lasting memory.

Macedonian Lines is available for purchase now, and Yawning Man is currently touring Europe and the UK.