Mk.gee Stuns on ‘Two Star & the Dream Police’

Review by Rob Hinkal

Not only is Mk.gee’s debut studio album Two Star & the Dream Police a stunning, stark collection of tracks from the New Jersey-born artist, but it also happens to be the best album of the year, so far.

With a decidedly “homegrown” sound and the use of vibrant, synth-heavy instrumentals, Dream Police brings to mind all at once the mid-aughts, indie-defining Bon Iver project, For Emma, Forever Ago, and at the same time, the work of 80’s era Peter Gabriel. It feels like an album that was entirely handcrafted and is an all the more intimate and personal musical experience for being so. Above all else, the songwriting and performances feel unique and as if they are coming from somewhere deep within the artist’s psyche, expressing an internal truth to the listener and creating a richly textured experience in the process.

The standout song of the album, Alesis, comes in on the second half of the tracklist and is a moody, atmospheric jam that feels tailor-made for late-night drives through the city with the windows down. Other songs such as Are You Looking Up and Candy keep the vibes going and are the highlights among a track-list that is sequenced to near perfection and retains its interest and intrigue throughout the album’s entire runtime.

The only possible issue to be found with the album is its somewhat anticlimactic ending, but even that is a nitpick, with its concluding track, Dream Police, still being a solid and worthwhile song, it does end in a way that makes the listener wish that there was a grander finale and not just a somewhat abrupt ending to the album.

Two Star & the Dream Police is a truly remarkable collection of songs and is undoubtedly the best album I have heard this year. Its infectious production and creative tracklist are unique masterworks and show an artist operating at a level of proficiency and skill that is hard to match.