Mind’s Eye brought their music to new heights with RUN LIKE HELL, their EP. Indie with a hardcore kick, they brought together elements influenced by Turnstile’s NEVER ENOUGH and likewise hardcore, while including their distinct indie sound as seen in previous tracks like “Georgia” and “Lust or Love.”
CUT YOU OUT
The song with the strongest exterior influences, Mind’s Eye got experimental and it paid off on this track. The lyricism was strong in telling the known narrative of the “situationship.”
“(You call me when you want me) Neither one of us is going strong (I’ll never get a call) But I’ll never let it keep me down (I can’t cut you out).”
The backing is a strong expression of the band’s stage presence. Punchy and vivid, the song hits hard in a way that makes it reasonable for the mosh pit to be as raging as it is at any Mind’s Eye gig.
LOVESPELL
Bold and longing, “LOVESPELL” is exactly what the fanbase has come to expect from Mind’s Eye. An indie hit that feels like a long drive at midnight. “LOVESPELL” has a strong tune with clear influences from bands like The Cure and Joy Division, with their own indie twist.
PRYOR
Mind’s eye has taken the love song, chewed it up, spit it out and revived it with passion. “PRYOR” is a tribute to love, but love with its issues, not polished or pretty. Intense but still soft, the track has no problems in conveying its true emotions. It tied together motifs from the band’s most recent EPs. After all, if she “looks like heaven… You should RUN” (LIKE HELL).
WATCHDOG
“WATCHDOG” feels like what Mind’s Eye tried to accomplish with “VENGEFUL ARMS,” but much more tastefully. With synth reminiscent of MGMT, and lyrics thick with metaphor, the song is reminiscent of 2010s pop – if it were meant to be played in a DIY venue with a mosh pit.
VENGEFUL ARMS
One of the weakest tracks on the EP, “VENGEFUL ARMS” has all the right ideas in all the wrong places. Obviously influenced by synth goth and distinct bands like New Order, the overuse of synth and a flawed chorus make the song disappointing, seeming almost unfinished. The band got incredibly experimental with this EP, and while they pulled it off cohesively on other tracks, “VENGEFUL ARMS” failed to reach the expectations set by their previous work.
SAMURAI SWORDS
Unlike the previous track, “SAMURAI SWORDS” is undeniably the best song on the EP. The track meshes together Mind’s Eye’s strengths in the best ways. Genius and catchy backing with cohesive lyrics, this is a must-listen for any indie fans.
The song carries a feeling that one can feel with their whole being. Lyrics like: “Silly white girl with a samurai sword (Let me take all the risks that you know you can’t afford),” and “I can’t breathe (Too deep) Don’t know how to be (When I know you might see),” exemplify that exhilarating feeling when one first starts to fall for someone, making it a powerful listen that hits hard.
Final thoughts
As a whole, the EP gets a 7.9 out of 10. With strong improvements in the band’s overall sound, the experimental influences and stronger vocals set it apart despite some weaker components. Standout tracks include “CUT YOU OUT,” “WATCHDOG” and “SAMURAI SWORDS.”
7.9/10
