Mock Orange: Emo Roots Meet Alt-Country on New Album

Mock Orange, a band celebrated for their unique musical trajectory, has released their eighth album, "Put the Kid on the Sleepy Horse." This latest offering represents a significant reconciliation of their early Midwestern emo sound with their later alt-country influences. The album's journey to completion was fraught with peril, including a hard drive failure that nearly derailed the project, underscoring the band's perseverance.

Formed in Evansville, Indiana, Mock Orange has evolved considerably over two decades. Their early work, produced by figures like Mark Trombino, established them within the emo scene. Subsequent albums saw them explore orchestrated indie rock and later, a more literate, NPR-friendly alt-country sound.

"Put the Kid on the Sleepy Horse" now finds the band synthesizing these disparate elements. The album moves beyond vague alt-country to embrace a straight-up southern boogie. Tracks like "Window" and "Too Good Your Dreams Don't Come True" showcase a vibrant riff-driven sound. This release marks a pivotal moment, harmonizing the passionate yearning of their Midwestern emo past with the resonant twang of their more recent material.