If, like me, you’re a stressed out over-thinker struggling with the constant sensory input of our increasingly busy lives, then you’ll find this absolute gem by MT Warning to be a much needed oasis of calm and serenity. Mikey Bee manages storytelling and imagery woven together with heart-on-sleeve lyrics, all delivered with emotive and honest vocals.
Opening track, “When It All Bleeds Out”, is deceptively simple but turns out to be one of those earworms that infiltrate your consciousness and you suddenly find yourself ooo-ooo-oohing all over the place at unexpected moments. Even if the lyrics are heartbreaking, it conjures images of an early summer morning watching the waves break at the beach, and the contrast is a delightful way to kick start the EP.
“Black Moon” isn’t greatly varied from the first track, to be honest, but this contributes to the chill-out factor of the album, I feel. It gives you a nice amount of time to really sink into the sounds and lyrics.
“I Want You To Be My Girl This Century” reminds me of mellow Red Hot Chili Peppers, (Stadium Arcadium), taking its time to weave through his tale of longing and unrequited love. His voice is such a joy to listen to that it’s the moments when it’s just the vocals and a smattering of notes beneath that really make this song as powerful as it is.
“Collapsed Collage” starts out with a tinkering of piano and light percussion but soon there’s a heartbeat pulsing through, driving this song into a captivating crescendo which hits around two thirds of the way into the tune. Sonically it’s the most exciting track on the EP, with building layers and complexity until you’re suddenly dropped off the edge of the wave into silence.
Title track “Petrified Heart” is up last and it’s glorious. A love song, full of yearning, confusion, fear…all the things embedded with the separation from a loved one. Call me a softie but this song makes me cry. It’s breathtaking and beautiful.
It’s been out for a while now, but so very much worth either seeking out or revisiting.
Review Score: 8.9 out of 10. 
Petrified Heart is out now.
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