Recommended Tracks: “Eastern Standard Time”, “Just a Town”, “Circling Round Again”
Artists You May Like: I’m With Her, Mipso, Buffalo Rose
Contrary to their name, The Accidentals are more than a mishap or some type of happy mistake. They are a solid trio, determined to share their passion for music with others. Aside from creating original indie-meets-pop-meets-folk music, the dynamic trio host workshops for young musicians, inspiring others to find solace in making music just as they did when they were younger. The band was also able to release Time Out Session #1 last year, where they worked with celebrated figures in music to “bridge the gap” from one generation of songwriters to another. Always compelled to do their part, The Accidentals decided to continue these special collaborations by releasing a follow-up to Time Out Session #1 in the form of Time Out Session #2.
Throughout the EP, we are treated to quaint observations about life, primarily from the viewpoint of someone on the brink of a new beginning. On the reflective “Just a Town,” for instance, we hear about the disappointment of returning to a place that once held a lot of meaning and value, only to find that it is not as charming as once thought. There is also the stripped back “Leave it in the Dust,” which focuses on breaking out from small town life. In the end, “a new beginning is always a suitcase away,” if we find it within ourselves to make that change. This message to “leave the past behind” comes through the most on the folk ballad “Circling Round Again,” which is about the false personas we adopt when meeting up with people from our past. Over gentle violin, piano, and guitar, we hear about the “need to pretend” and the question of “What could be sadder than saying you’re happy?” showing that time does not always heal.
Of course, the contributions from the artists that The Accidentals teamed up with for the EP do not go unnoticed. On the opening track “Eastern Standard Time,” the trio collaborated with singer-songwriter Peter Mulvey, resulting in a serene love letter to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Both Peter and The Accidentals have a soft spot for the UP, as it is close to where they grew up, and wished to acknowledge its history and beauty. For “Remain the Same,” folk singer-songwriter Tom Paxton lent his strong songwriting skills for a dark and tragic tale about living your life without one of your best friends by your side. We do not get a clear idea of what happened, but the lines, “I grow old and you remain the same” and “I can’t fill the hole you left with anything but regret,” cut deep. The EP closes with the hopeful “Wide Open,” which was co-written by singer and songwriter Gretchen Peters. While these tracks mesh very well together, each artist has left their own mark on these songs, unifying their sound with the sound of the next generation.
On the whole, Time Out Session #2 is an honest, descriptive collection of songs that highlight what it means to search for something more. This sentiment not only comes through from the lyrics of each track, but also through the actions of those who made them. By working with these collaborators, The Accidentals were able to create an EP that promotes the importance of connection and the impact we have on others. Basically, a little “time out” can be a good thing, as all of us could use a moment to remember what is important in life.
You can listen to Time Out Session #2 on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud.
Catch The Accidentals on their Time Out tour, which runs to the middle of March, here.
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