“A Mindless Move” by Mauger is one of those perfect, gentle, tear-jerking indie songs. Everything about it encapsulates a meek sort of melancholy–not something dramatic–not something overtly impassioned. It toys with your emotions with a tragic subtlety.
The song begins with a droning, minor harmonium chord. In trickle the twinkles of a Xylophone and a thrumming guitar. The vocalist whispers, “A mindless move / where we both play dead.” Already, the mood is set. The vocal timbre is so quiet it feels almost croaked, conveying this unpolished intimacy. The lyric is vague but doubtlessly evocative. It makes the listener anxious to hear what comes next.
The chorus welcomes a minimalistic drum groove and some piano chords to warm up the mix. The melodies feel natural and classic. The verse transitions into the chorus with vibrant intuitiveness. As the song continues, more instrumentation piles on. There are background vocals, tambourines, bass, and copious layers of reverb. An obvious escalation takes place as the melodies skyrocket and the accompaniment swells. This is a tried-and-true technique to create interest and emotional investment–taking a small, familiar melody and filling it out with a more drastic sound near the end.
If you’re a lover of all things indie, this song could be your next favorite. Put in your earphones, close your eyes, and let it envelop your senses. Before you know it, you’ll be swimming in a long-awaited catharsis, or at least relishing your feelings. Be sure to check out not only “A Mindless Move,” but some of Mauger’s other discography!
Written by Alyce Lindberg
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