Knock Knock It’s The Loose Balloons Review

Knock Knock It’s The Loose Balloons by MAHTO & THE LOOSE BALLOONS is an ephemeral and languid indie exploration of one’s self and the concept of home. The vocals act as a guiding light throughout, leading the listener with a calming yet bold tone that sits between modern indie rock and the sun-bleached bliss of bands like the Beach Boys.

‘Lockbox’ was the first track that drew me into the album. Immediately, it evokes images of home, speaking to the trust associated with the lockbox. To the right person, the home is immediately open - you don’t need to knock. It feels like the song acknowledges the beauty in that level of trust emphasised by the arpeggiated guitar playing. Each note leads perfectly into the next, in a way that feels effortless and meandering.

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‘Hollow’ was another track that felt tonally important for the album. Opening with this industrial buzz, the track introduces a liminal sound, mixing the blissed-out tone of the album thus far with a sense of uncertainty. The song is about convincing someone to feel better, to lose that sense of hollowness. The singer seems to be grappling with understanding the sadness as much as they are trying to address it. The depth of the storytelling reveals a melancholic journey within the narrative of the music.‘Vultures’, the album’s closing track, leans into its Latin rock influences, developing that distinctive aspect further. The guitar performance in this track is particularly impressive, showing a versatility that elevates their performance in this song and the album overall. It’s great to hear the band work so well together across a more energetic style. It shows the chemistry they have fostered is not restricted to the indie rock landscape and can transition tonally.

With this tonal variety in mind and the album’s unique storytelling, I’m excited to see where the group goes next.