If there was one
sentence that summed up Mild Orange’s sound and choice of name, it would be
this, in their own words:
‘The colour orange
can cause one to experience a heightened sense of optimism, a boost in
aspiration, and a stimulation of warmth and happiness’
Mild Orange are
a self-confessed melting pot of eclectic melodies, energy and vibrancy with
smooth sounds.
Hailing from Dunedin
and formed by early childhood friends, Josh Mehrtens and Josh Reid, they were
quickly catapulted into the music scene after only one gig together, which soon
lead to a NYE set at Rhythm and Vines during the recording of their debut
album, Foreplay, which leads us here.
Foreplay is an interesting
title for any album, let alone a debut, but it starts to make sense as the
eleven tracks are unveiled. Kicking things off with simple, introductory track that
is mostly instrumental.
Mild Orange have an
experimental, mellow and decidedly ambient sound. It's very relaxing and
uplifting. A sound that is most definitely unconventional and has an Indie soft
rock vibe.
Vocalist, Josh Mehrtens has a soulful, easy pitch
that blends their smooth sound seamlessly and as each track progresses you get
more of the New Zealand summer festival vibe from them.
The production and
engineering of the whole album is solid and gives you the sense that what you
hear is what you would get live, which often can be a hit or miss depending on
production value, but they are nailed it on the head here.
If you dig, smooth,
easy listening tunes with exploratory imagery then Foreplay might just be up your alley. Summer may officially be
over, but Mild Orange will keep the
good times rolling with their injection of sunshine straight to your ears.
Review written by Kerry Monaghan
The colour orange can cause one to experience a heightened sense of optimism, a boost in aspiration, and a stimulation of warmth and happiness. Mild Orange is therefore an eclectic of 'melting melodies'–an energy and vibrancy derived from a lust for smooth sounds. This delightful quartet hails from Dunedin, NZ and was first formed by early childhood friends Josh Mehrtens and Josh Reid and later joined by Tom Kelk and Jack Ferguson.
After playing only one gig together the band was scouted to perform on a Corona Extra NZ tour. Shortly afterward Mild Orange found themselves playing a NYE set at Rhythm and Vines, while at the same time beginning the recording of their debut self-produced album, Foreplay which released 18 April, 2018.