This new batch of tracks from Real Estate comes from the same sessions as last year's studio album. Half a Human certainly does scratch the itch of wanting new Real Estate tunes while also wanting some new variation and sounds, even though its newness can be subtle.
New Jersey's very own Real Estate have returned with a new collection of tracks in a new EP called Half a Human. The songs are taken from the same sessions of their last album, 2020's The Main Thing, a record that was a nice blend of new and old Real Estate. It is one of the best albums 2020 had to offer and brought that same sense of uneasiness and isolation that we all had truly felt during the pandemic last year. So, does this new EP add many new flavors and ideas that may differ from the band's last album? Well, yes and no. Half a Human does in fact sound like songs that did not make it onto The Main Thing. A total of six songs under thirty minutes, it's a short listen and kind of like a mini album almost. These songs do have the breezy, quietly moving indie rock instrumentals that you would find on their last record for sure. There are moments and sonic details that are slightly different and add at least a little bit of variation like the electronics on "In the Garden," the jammier guitars and drumming on the title track.
"D+," which was initially released on Alex Bleeker's solo album a couple of months ago, sounds a lot better on here with much jammier and more layered instrumentation, like crunchier guitars, swirling electronics, backing vocals, and a better vocal delivery from Bleeker. The biggest issue I had was that it was over five minutes long, while this new version is only four minutes in length. All in all, it fixes pretty much all of the issues I had with the initial version. "Soon" is the perfect guitar-driven tune that blissfully covers all of the tracks that "You" and "November" did on The Main Thing. "Ribbon" is the EP's closer that is a slow burning ballad that is both comforting and isolating.
All in all, Real Estate do sound great on this new EP of tracks. Half a Human certainly does scratch the itch of wanting new Real Estate tunes while also wanting some new variation and new sounds, even though the newness can be subtle. Any of these tracks really could've been added onto The Main Thing and I wouldn't be the wiser (like a deluxe version or something?) I wouldn't say that there is anything groundbreaking on Half a Human and some of these tracks do sound like they would be b-sides or deep cuts from The Main Thing compared to some of the band's highlights off of it. I do think if you're a fan of Real Estate and The Main Thing from last year, you honestly won't find anything wrong with more Real Estate. If there's new Real Estate music, I'm down!
My Rating: 7 / 10
Favorite Songs: "In the Garden," "D+," "Soon"
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