After four years of discovery The Middle East have arrived ! Bringing with them their debut EP, the band now plans to undertake their maiden tour of Australia. So where have they been? Overseas? On the seas? Well ,yes, but for the most part living quietly and comfortably in Queesland’s northern villages. While North Queensland has been the band’s hub, many members have left the sunny skies to discover different pastures …. But luckily most have returned and the core of the Middle East is back as it once was - making music and touring.

The Recordings Of The Middle East was originally self released by the band in 2008 and sold through their website , but this year Spunk is re-issuing the mini album for the first time with new packaging and a new tracklisting. Ther singing and songwrting on this mini LP imbues the sound of everything from chamber pop to psych folk. Alive with delicate acoustic sounds and romantic reveries, Recordings of the Middle East is one of the best collection of songs Spunk has had the pleasure to release in recent years. And above all, it provides great entertainment.

After 5 minutes and 27 seconds of “Blood”, you’ll be jumping with joy and brimming with excited energy, dreaming that life is all about smiles and sunshine (and great entertainment) . However, as the three-way vocal of The Darkest Side starts up, that liveliness will quieten slightly and you’ll be repositioning youself on your couch . Don’t be scared by it’s title, or lyrics about emptyness, dying and color tvs! The gentle guitar stylings, delicate emotive vocals and chorus harmonies will envelop you like a warm blanket and steel you away on dadydreams of Autumnal fire-side dinners and warm ups of tea.

Once you’ve drifted away on the romance of The Darkest Side, the seven minute epic Lonely will drag you back down to earth combining everything that is incredible about The Middle East in one wonderfully impressive sonic journey. With snug orchestrations , hushed vocals and a guitar assault that would make even Explosions In The Sky jealous, it is no wonder “Lonely” is such a perennial live favourite!

A substantial cult following is surely imminent, but in this case , such accolade would be entirely well deserved. Recordings of the Middle East is released May 8 through Spunk.

See The Middle Easy perform shows with Okkervil River and Augie March in May in preperation for their own headline Australian tour in June