Seat By The Window

Newry trio Midtown Reign deftly tread that tightrope between MOR and slightly skuzzier mid-’90s era power pop that bands like the Gin Blossoms perfected. Their debut opus Seat By The Window features 14 torch songs that, at times, tug the heartstrings with the best of them. Hugely inspired by American sights and sounds, the record is a lovelorn affair that swoons and sways in all the right places (‘Luck of Jonah,’ ‘Time To Get Up’) and while the Stateside twang can become a little obvious (‘Train To California’) the band’s skill at crafting sugary hooks patches over any shortcomings admirably.