Of Mice and Men are back with the album Another Miracle, out now on Century Media Records, their follow-up to 2023’s Tether. Known for their emotionally raw lyrics, radio-ready choruses, and aggressively heavy sound, Of Mice and Men take it up a notch with their ninth full-length.
Another Miracle begins with the wonderfully heavy A Waltz. As the song starts, we are greeted with a string composition that guides us onward into a journey of epic proportions. As the strings decrescendo, Of Mice and Men come in, full force, with the drumming of Valentino Arteaga surrounding us with tribal fury. Aaron Pauley’s signature growl locks us in through the first verse before he seamlessly delivers an arena-ready chorus of “A waltz for the withering. A dance for the damned. A psalm for the suffering. A jubilee of despair.”
Lead single and standout track Troubled Water keeps the explosion of sound going. As the song moves past the industrial music sound of the intro, guitarists Alan Ashby and Phil Manansala lay down an even heavier sound than the previous track. Pauley’s vocals may be at his best as he sings the chorus “Further and further away. With every word you don’t say. I’m afraid I just can’t seem to bridge the distance.”
On their second single, Of Mice and Men are less aggressive with the beautifully written Wake Up. This track is like a warm embrace during a full-fledged episode of heartbreaking seasonal depression. The song begins with a vibrant, yet melancholy acoustic guitar that lets you know this tune will be here for you. Pauley’s vocals are hopeful and heartbreaking as he belts the chorus, “Wake up. You’ve been dreaming. For so long. Daylight has come. A chance to be. Here. Now.” It reminds us to get up from our winter slumber.
Flowers, is Another Miracle’s third single and has the most poetic lyrics of the album. Musically, the song is not as striking as much of the album with its predictable mid-tempo rock composition. Yet, combined with the lyrical content and beautiful vocals, it elevates itself from just being a good song on the album to a great one.
Altogether, Another Miracle is Of Mice and Men’s finest and most diverse work yet. Mixing elements of arena rock, pop, and hardcore is no easy feat, yet the ease with which Of Mice and Men accomplishes this on Another Miracle is impressive.
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