MP3: The Midnight Pine – “Buried”
MP3: The Midnight Pine – “Caution”

San Diego’s The Midnight Pine are set to release their sophomore effort, Buried, on June 14. But in case you’re pining to hear some of it before then, we’re premiering not one but two new songs from the album.

As always, one of the most striking elements of The Midnight Pine’s sound is Shelbi Bennet’s voice. Her vocals command your attention on Buried‘s hushed title track while the band’s restrained instrumentation conjures swirling atmospherics behind her.

“Caution” is a comparatively jaunty, upbeat affair, evoking smoke-filled speakeasies and shimmering showgirls. The recurring phrase “love is the map and love is the maze” is a fantastic lyric on its own, but Bennet’s sultry delivery sends it into the stratosphere.

The follow-up to 2012’s evocative Awake Now was recorded at local studio Audio Design. Jordan Andreen (who plays synthesizer and accordion on some tracks) engineered the album, and he produced it with lyricist/percussionist Al Howard. Their efforts give the 13-track Buried a professional sheen that improves on the living-room vibe of Awake Now without sacrificing any of its intimacy.

The Midnight Pine will celebrate the release of Buried at the Hideout on June 14. You can see the album’s full tracklist below.

Buried Tracklist:
1. Trouble In the Blood
2. Buried
3. Tears
4. Caution
5. Hey There
6. Edge of Town
7. Markel Interlude
8. Lavish in Bloom
9. Mother of Amends
10. Out Here Tonight
11. Pocket Watch
12. Always
13. Buried Reprise