Somewhere on the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, in the UK, you might meet childhood friends Adam Fitzgerald and Joe Altham, who founded Mount Arla. The adventure began during lockdown evenings when the two pals started writing the EP "Queens Rd to Oulton St" which you can find today on all platforms.

An EP that opens with "Borderline" and its enigmatic intro. After a few lines of the first verse, the track wakes up with a marvelous mix of piano, acoustic guitar, and magnificent vocal harmonies. The magic begins to operate. We know then that we did well to embark on this EP. "Borderline" continues to grow by welcoming warm drums in its second verse. And the melody begins to imprint itself in your head. The rise/ride is delicious. Just close your eyes, and you will see. They can take you far away!

The second track "Clouds On Fire" opens with much more obvious folk vibes. The kind of acoustic melody that makes you want to pack your bags and fly far and wide never to return. While writing these lines, the two friends sang "and leave it all behind". Chance? Maybe I wasn't completely wrong! In a more powerful construction and with an epic crescendo, this second song gives us a glimpse of the producer talent of our two Englishmen. There are many elements, to be able to create this refreshing atmosphere with the taste of travel in infinite landscapes.

The intro of "Eleanor", the third song of the EP, is like a pause. A break closer to the artists since we can hear their breathing during the intro. An intimate connection that installs a feeling of immediate trust. And when the wonderful vocal harmonies start just before the first-minute mark, we close our eyes and imagine that they are singing just for us, during an evening by the fire, with some friends. Is that a bit of a selfish thought? Yes, but then just a little. At 1:24, the banjo, the electric guitar, and the drums invite themselves into this pretty ballad, where Eleanor seems both geographically very far away but also very close, obsessing the thoughts of Mount Arla. By its atypical construction, with an outro that gives as many chills as its climax, "Eleanor" is an excellent surprise.

Finally, the EP ends with "Heavy Heights" with more present instrumentation from the beginning, carried by these sublime vocal harmonies. After having already listened to three songs without even realizing it, we then realize with this last track that the voices of Adam and Joe are made to work together. The bridge, which is often the most difficult part to create in a song, is a success. Everything is suspended for a few seconds with a beautiful lightness to give all its place to the magnificent finale, with this hammered sentence "Please don't let me go".

Oh no, we won't let you guys go! And we're even going to watch you very closely now! Because we loved this EP, divinely well produced, with lots of cinematic elements, and we can't wait to hear the sequel. And we have to admit one thing: sometimes artists ask us "what's your favorite song from the EP?". There is always one that stands out and the answer to the question is quite easy to find. But in the case of "Queens Rd to Oulton St", we have a problem: it's impossible to pick a favorite. The 4 songs are each a jewel of beauty on their own, with their own universe and atmosphere. Everything goes together wonderfully, and they are inseparable. So if we had to give you one and only advice, it would be to listen to these four songs in a row, without interruption. And as many times as you want.

Remember their name: Mount Arla. Because you will see them again on IMC for sure.

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