A reflective record shaped by live recording, subtle detail and an overriding glow of positivity.

There's an abundance of adjectives to describe Maximilian’s music: soft, mellow, rich, emotional. These all apply. One I would not use is laid-back. As demonstrated in his stellar new EP, Diurnals, Maximilian is not scared of making interesting choices in his songs. There are several moments throughout my many listens that I was left entranced by the music, always managing to get something new out of it every time.

Take the first track, ‘Soft Song for a Worried Mind’, which breaks down into slow, layered strings and a gentle piano that feels deeply mellow, guiding the listener to the rest of the EP with a warm, soft hand. It would have been easy to eschew this section, ending the song earlier, and it would have still been a great track. However, its inclusion elevates the song emotionally, grabs the listener’s attention and does not let it go. 

The rest of Diurnals also does not disappoint. I felt like I was all curled up with a blanket and a nice hot drink and could not wipe the smile off my face the whole runtime. The final track, ‘I Know You’, has such a jubilant energy that it made me just want to get up and dance (and I did).

Speaking on his approach to recording the track, Maximilian expressed just how important it was to record the song live, with all the musicians in the room: “Not only does it feel more natural, but it’s just the true, tried and tested way.” While this approach might lend itself to just how natural and confident Diurnals sounds, it would be remiss not to mention Maximilian’s strength as a songwriter and a lyricist, able to weave soft, poignant melodies with heartfelt, honest lyrics. 

The EP is full of positivity and gratitude, which Maximilian says “had a positive impact” on him and was “quite liberating” when making the record. These feelings are clearly embodied in the songs, and after listening to Diurnals for the umpteenth time, I can definitely say I feel liberated for having heard it. It is a joyous outing that I look forward to keeping in my rotation for a while to come.